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ONE OF FOUR 



. Roberts y/ 


Author of 

“ The Itinerant's Daughter 







Copyright , 1924 , by 

J . L . Roberts . \ 



JUL14 *24 J 


©C1A80111S 


% 




To the older sister 


Ida May 

who chose to remain with 
the scenes of this home of 
our childhood this book is 
affectionately dedicated . 


4 


Chapter Page 

I. Surroundings And Home. 7 

II . Morning Shadows . 19 

11T. Lasting Impressions. 30 

IV . Rumors Of Weddings . 43 

V. The Old Mill. 49 

VI . Pleasure And Profit . GO 

VII. Modes Of Travel. 79 

VIII . Dark Days . 87 

XI. Rapid Changes. 95 

X . Conflicting Plans 101 

XI . Other Scenes . 113 

XII . Religion In The Home . 120 

XIII , Baffled . 125 

XIV . Ups And Downs 131 

XV . Evening Shades . 143 


5 


PREFACE 

This volume contains a record of events 
that transpired in the life of a Missouri 
family , of which the author was a mem¬ 
ber , and was written primarily for the 
perusal and pleasure of those whose names 
are mentioned in it . 

If it falls into the hands of any 
other who may read it we trust such 
reader will regard it as only a simple 
narrative of plain facts , and find pleas¬ 
ure in reading it , not because the author 
claims for it any literary merit , nor had 
any thought that it would , in any meas¬ 
ure , satisfy a taste for such , but oily 
because it suggests some ideas and con¬ 
ditions of life that are familiar to all, 
exposes some of the follies of youth j re¬ 
calls some humorous instances in life and 
takes one , in thought , through those 
trying times in life when the soul is 
made better by those events , so little 
understood , that bring us down , in deep 


6 


sorrow' , to that condition in which we 
can recognize the divine hand and feel 
the gentle touch of his love as he lifts 
us to hope for and realize better things. 

If this little volume shall only make 
a small conti ibution to this end the 
purpose of its mission will be accom¬ 
plished , 

The Author. 


ONE 


OF 


FOUR 


CHAPTER 1 

SURROUNDINGS AND HOME 

As we look in on the scene we see 
nothing that is at all unusual in the life 
of an American home . 

If the scene that we are to look upon 
be such as belongs to the life of an Amer¬ 
ican city, we expect, of course , to see long 
rows of houses lining the street on each 
side as far as the hill-top in at least four 
directions; the smoke of many factories and 
institutions as it curves from the smoke¬ 
stacks , rises above the city, then, dissolv¬ 
ing , spreads out over the city as if formed 
bj T a designer for the express purpose of 
protecting the inhabitants of the city from 
the burning rays of the mid-dny sun ; the 
happy , hopeful tread of many children , as 
laden with tablets and books } they make 
their way to the institutions of learning 


8 


ONE OF 


FOU 


> 

V 


where another day of mental exercise 
awaits them- the stream of laborers as they 
come from the houses in the lorg row, 
each with a box or bucket in hand , join¬ 
ing a companion in tread and moving with 
the croud , makes his way to the shop; and 
the never-ceasing movement of conveyances 
as they glitter with their shining polish 
and roll by with their contents of joyous 
and sad, rich and poor, over-rated and 
under-rated and all classes to their various 
points of destination ; and hear , above the 
rumble of wagons , carts , electric cars and 
automobiles, the shouts of youthful vend¬ 
ers calling and vieing with the rumble to 
secure a share of the attention of the pub¬ 
lic and fix it on his wares or on himself; 
the screaming of the steam engine as it 
makes the curve and begins to straighten 
its train of cars in preparation for unload¬ 
ing , loading , switching and connecting for 
another run ; the voices of men , women and 
children, as the “ voice of many waters ” as 
they exchange greetings^ound warnings and 


SURROUNDINGS AND II0 M E 


continue the conversations that were be¬ 
gun in the distant . indistinguishable clatter 
and now come along with the wind, in its 
course , as it sweeps on down the street , 
and the last call of the departing as they 
glance and call back to leave one more 
word of instruction for the maid on the 
steps , and add one more sound to the all- 
too-many that only confuse and disturb 
contemplation . 

If the scene be such as belongs to 
the life of a rural community in America , 
in that section known as central Missouri , 
those who are familiar with these scenes 
would expect , of course , to see a lane in¬ 
closed on each side by a fence of some 
kind , and with a surface of yellow clav, 
or dark heavy loam , or a mixture of 
these , and located on one side or the 
other perhaps a mile or so apart ; farm 
houses the size and appearance of which 
would , in a large measure , indicate the 
degree of prosperity of the owner ; a 
school or church every four or five miles 


ONE OF FOUR 


the appearance of which would, in a 
large measure , indicate the degree of in¬ 
terest taken by the community in educa¬ 
tion and religion ; and as we look over the 
forests we would expect to see tall trees 
of many kinds , and on the praries all the 
rolling beauties that mark the landscape of 
that section . If it is prairie , then the 
still quietness of its rolling beauty would 
fill the soul with a great calm . If forests , 
then all the beauties of its charmed and 
^charming life would stand out before us as 
a challenge to every appreciative sense of 
our being ; only the quarrel of the squirrel 
in the tree-top , reminding the intruder 
that this forest is in reserve , to embarrass 
our entrance and stay as we witness the si¬ 
lent opening of all the buds of spring-time 
as they unfold and spread their leaves as so 
many glad hands ready and waiting to 
break from our tired forms the force of 
the summer sun and give us freely of the 
dark cool shade in which we may lie 
down , rest and dream of fairy lands , and 


SURROUNDINGS AND HOME 


hear the sweet song of the bird as , from 
sunshine to shadow, he goes with the speed 
of light , to scatter in the sunshine and 
among the shadows the sweet expression 
of his trembling joy that he would share 
freely with all the world . 

Such are the scenes amid which the 
story of this home life begins , It is that 
of the home life of a Missouri family 
established in a farm-house , newly built > a 
two-story frame of seven rooms , cn the 
line of a country road f near a school-house 
and a number of splendid homes where 
neighbors and relatives lived and enjoyed 
the life of one of those splendid country 
communities , so common in the United 
States of America and so well known to 
one who is a native of central Missouri and 
lived there during the latter half of the 
nineteenth century . 

The family with whom we are to 
associate now consisted of a young man 
about thirtyyears of age, of strong physique 
and the picture of health, his wife, a rather 


12 


ONE OF FOUIi 


delicate little woman , with little promise 
of a long life , having contracted that 
much dreaded malady known as tubercu¬ 
losis that has claimed , for an early closing 
of life , so many of the sons and daugh¬ 
ters of our fair land , and four children, 
two girls and two boys , names and 
ages as follows • May 7 , William 5 > 
James 3 , and Ellen 1 . The first-born 
infant , unknown to the four children liv¬ 
ing , died in early infancy ; even before 
the second child was born . 

In the narrative we may alternate and 
speak, frequently , of the older boy as 
J . W • and of the younger boy as Jim . 

We will give the story in brief. This 
may prove to he very gratifying to those 
to whom much of it may be of little 
interest ; But to the writer . whose identi¬ 
ty may he traced back to the boy 
known as Jim, this narrative has much 
that is of interest , as it recalls much of 
the past in real life . 

And now , looking back over a lapse of 


SURROUNDINGS AND HOME 


*3 


many years , at the movements , childish 
pranks and blunders of the four , the 
writer may , at times , almost fail to recog¬ 
nize his identity in the bunch , or hesitate 
to acknowledge it, and be disposed to 
speak of each of the four in the third 
person . If this manner obtains , in a 
measure , the reader will remember that 
we now ask to be allowed to reserve 
that privilege . 

In my fancy , I am sitting now in 
the front door of this heme looking to 
the east over the green mounds that 
stand up before me , on each side of the 
walk , like so many sentinels siationed 
there to keep watch , day and night , for 
the visitor who may need their assistance 
in finding the entrance to the house . 

Beyond these 1 see a string of stick- 
horses hitched to the fence , down by the 
road , each waiting its turn to be exercised 
in a race , or put on exhibition , as the 
owner may desire or have it prepared for. 

Encircling these mounds, and twice 


OF - FOUR 


0 


jsh 


crossing the walk , I see , in dim outline , 
a track , formed by bare feet , in the low 
pressed grass where the stick-horses have 
made their rounds with their riders, whose 
feet touched the ground and , with the 
combined weight of horses and riders , 
formed the track . In these marks I have 
before me a vision of happy days of pleas¬ 
ure and rest that might be raised by a 
look , in any direction , from any door of 
this once happy home . 

The mounds served as rests where 
we could stop , for a moment, to rest 
the tired limbs of our contending steeds, 
as we reclined against the cool earthen 
surface , taking all of the rest to our 
selves and passing the imaginary rest 
to the imaginary weariness of the horses , 
watching the passer-by who comes along, 
only once in a great while , or the 
plough-man in the field across the way, 
as he moves slowly across the corn field , 
rolling the dirt to or from the 
tiny stalks of corn , stopping every 


SURROUNDINGS AND HOME 


few steps to lift , from a helpless and 
and almost crushed hill of the young corn , 
a clod that falls upon it , or the rolling- 
clouds as they roll up their snowy white¬ 
ness and build, for our entertainment, 
castles and mountains , sending up a cloud 
of smoke from one and covering the other 
with a sheet of snow , then dissolving all 
into a blend of floating hues and diffusing 
colors . 

Then , when tired of the scenery and 
the steeds were rested and ready f we 
would come out and line them up for 
another race ; After which we would stall 
them again , while other scenes and games 
would engage us . 

As we look back , through the years, 
to the time of our childhood and to a 
period of the same in which we saw 
objects at close range and moved with 
short and quick steps, at this long range , 
we find it quite difficult to measure 
objects and distances correctly 

- When I took now at the lawn , where 


ONE OF 


FOUR 


16 




« 


we romped and played , when we were 

children , and find that it is only about 

•/ 

one hundred feet across it, I can hardly 
realize that it is the same place where 
we had our large “ mile race track ” for 
testing the style and speed of our fine 
stick horses ”, that we put through such 
violent exercise as they made the rounds 
and came in on the home stretch foaming 
and panting; which foaming and panting 
effected only the imagination and person 
of the rider . 

Then when I look for the rows of 
mounds , on each side of the walk , 
reaching from the house to the road- 
four in a row , they are gone ; The lawn 
is level ; And I miss those mounds of 
beauty that stood there , a half globe , 
covered with grass, close-cut and green; 
And I almost wonder how they ever 
stood , so many , so large and so far 
apart , in the short stretch that reaches 
from the house to the road . 

And now I am impressed with the fact 




T 7 


SURROUNDINGS AND HOME 


that , at that period of our lives , we were 
looking from small proportions, taking 
short, quick steps and comparing the pro¬ 
portions of our bodies with that of those 
objects and distances with which we were 
dealing f Of course, the circumstances of 
this observation , comparison and change 
have gone with the past . 

As we measure objects and distances 
now the measurements that we get must 
stand . We have now reached the limit 
of possibilities for growth , or any- great 
extension of our corporal proportions , 
and are able to see ourselves in propor¬ 
tions that are established and our sur¬ 
roundings as they really are ; And 
nothing but a passing shadow can now 
change the aspect of these things in life. 

And whether we see these objects 
and people , with which we have to deal 
now , in the dark shadow or in the 
clear sunlight > in their physical propor¬ 
tions , they are very much the same . 

But I must not forget that with this 


is 


ONE OF FOUR 


pen , I am to trace this little family 
through many years and that I must 
not linger . I must arise and go . I can 
not remain on the door step and look 
upon the scenes that glow before me in 
the sun-light • They are full of beauty ; 
They give rise to visions of pleasure ; 
and I would fain linger with them ; 
But I see a shadow coming across the 
way ; They are now passing under it; 
And , in truth to them , love and duty 
leads me on , 


19 


CHAPTER II 

MORNING SHADOWS 

When we attempt to recall and astern, 
ble, for record, the events of those days 
that seem so far away, we find it neces¬ 
sary to go back, in our thought, into a 
dim distance and shadowy ways. 

There are a few events—whether we 
really recall them, or recall what was 
only an account of them, we are not 
quite sure—that stand out to themselves 
and are seen over the trend of life like 
the hill-tops that rise before us when we 
glance over the surface of a stretch of 
country and wave; before us like the 
rising and falling of our spirits that has 
marked, so well, our pilgrimage heie. 
Some of these events seem to lift them¬ 
selves so far above the others that they 
are seen in a clearer light, even though 
they are at a greater distance from the 
present- Doubtless this is due to the 
fact that more is made of them- 

From what I remember, or have 
been told—I am not quite sure which— 


ONE 


OF FOUR 


I recall that preparations were made 
for this family to take a trip, across the 
country, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 
hoping that the health of the mother 
might be benefitted. This was, for that 
time, a long journey; And, for sake of 
health, as much as for any other con¬ 
sideration, it was decided that we 
should maka the journey in a traveler s 
wagon, that the family—and especially 
the mother, for whose benefit the trip 
was made"—might have the advantage 
of the drive across the open country 
and the wholesome atmosphere of the 
mountains. 

The time for beginning the drive came; 
and, so far as I have been informed, all 
went very well until we came to the 
Missouri river and the ferry boat glided 
up to the bank to take us in. 

At this juncture all continued to go 
well but James, who succeeded in 
breaking loose from those who would 
restrain him and in finding an inviting 


MORNING SHADOWS 


21 


path-way that led away from the river, 
which path-way he took and proceeded 
to heat with his flying heels and as 
much friction as his short and quick 
steps could produce. 

He had not gone far , however , when 
Rart ( the colored boy ) ,with his swift 
movement and longer steps , overtook him 
and brought him back to the boat, 
regardless of his vigorous protest against 
all movements to commit his tiny body 
and failing spirits to the mercy of the 
rolling deep through the medium of a 
“bucking” ferry boat. 

Notwithstanding all of his pleas and 
protests , Jame? v T as forced to take his 
chances with the others. As the boat 
bowed , turned and began to plow it? 
way through the water , seeing the 
waves boating high against the side of 
the craft, James declared it was “ luck¬ 
ing” and that , with great difficulty , lie 
was holding on . 

When the land finally struck the 


ONE OF FOUH 


side of the boat , the gate was lowered 
and the opportunity to make connection 
with the earth was afforded again, 
James went up the bank with all the 
alacrity and ease that a channel cat or 
loose lobster could come down it, then, 
when at a safe distance , paused to wring 
himself and count the other members of 
the party to see how many were fortun¬ 
ate enough to land . 

The jcurney through the Ozarks was 
a real pleasure ; And the days and 
nights were filled with new , strange and 
interesting sounds and scenes . As wo 
passed along the roads through the 
wmods , in the sparcely settled country , 
the owls that, at night, held high car¬ 
nival in the otherwise lonely darkness, 
would drop from a tree top , cross the 
road and disappear in the density of 
the woods before one could draw a trim. 
Squirrels were numerous and made bold 
to bark at us as we passed their haunts- 
Upon one occasion we had the 


MORNING SHADOWS 


pleasure of seeing what was rarely seen 
in central Missouri , at that time > and 
now , I believe , not at all . As we came 
to a little ravine , in the deep of the 
forest , our attention by a rustling in 
the leaves and the sudden haul ting of 
the team , that first noticed the phe¬ 
nomenon , to a large deer that was just 
about to disappear in the brush with a, 
little fawn at its side . The deer had 
come , with her fawn , to tha pool by 
the side of the road for a drink , and , 
surprised by the appearance and approach 
of the strange visitors , had decided to 
give thesa strangers all of the road and 
seek a place of safety . 

Whether it was due to consideration 
for the little one , its relation to and 
dependence upon the mother , or to sim¬ 
ple excitement , I do not know ; But, at 
any rate , the father made no attempt 
to secure and lift the gun ; only drop¬ 
ping the lines and pointing the finger, 
which was not loaded at all, toward the 


24 


ONE OF FOUR 


excited quadrupeds and , with consider¬ 
able show of excitement , calling the at¬ 
tention of the other members of the 
party to the vanishing wonder . 

This much I recall only like recall¬ 
ing a dream ; And I am left to wonder 
if I remember any event of this journey 
or only the accounts of them that have 
been given to me by others . 

One thing I know , The result was 
not as we hoped for ; And we returned 
to our Missouri home to face the 
inevitable . 

No record of events in a life would 
be complete without an a c count of 
those , so familiar and sad , that bring 
depressions and and clouds that , at 
times , threaten to almost spoil the day 
and extinguish the light . 

And yet > while the lowering shadows of 
the early morning portend a day of gro¬ 
ping in the gloom , a kindly breeze will 
sometimes arise and carry them away , 
passing them on to other winds whose 


MORNING 


SHADOWS 


moan we never hear ; And even before 
we can adjust ourselves to the gloom, 
the smiling sun looks out upon us and 
leads the way to all the joys of the 
noon-tide . And while,at times, depression 
and sorrow come to all , and to many 
in the early morning of youth , there O 
about the child a shield of providence 
that mitigates in favor of the tender 
years . It is manifest in their inability 
to readily adjust themselves to gloom 
and in their ability to be the first to 
see the returning light . 

To this kind providence we are in¬ 
debted for so much of the pleasure that 
we find in retrospection, that we are dis¬ 
posed to draw oti it , continually , for 
the future , 

So as I undertake to make a record 
of events that stand out before me as 
worthy of mention in the record of life, 
seeing them from my present stand pointy 
as I look with a feeling of mingled 
pride and regret to the past and of hope 


26 


ONE OF FOUR 


io the future , I feel as if I were stand¬ 
ing between two great realities . 

While many events that have 
transpired have left on my mind an in¬ 
delible impression , and now come before 
me as vivid , even , as present day events. 

So the future , as I try to see and 
plan it , is , to my mind , just as real as 
the past , and comes before me with the 
same claim upon my thoughts . And , as 
I look and think, one is just as real as 
the other . And is it not fitting that it 
should be so ? Surely we are under no 
less obligation to regard and plan for 
the future than we are to regard and 
reflect upon the past . 

If I should attempt to follow the 
trend of my thought back to the first 
events that I can now recall , I would 
find myself in a vague- maze of thought 
where nothing is very clear or definite . 

And if, in this misty past , I should 
go , in thought , to the limit of my mem¬ 
ory , I think I would find myself a little 


MORNING SHADOWS 


boy under three years of age silting 
on the floor at tbe feet of his mother, 
trying to put his foot into a new shoe 
and , to accomplish it , trying to follow 
the directions given by that mother 
whose sweet and kindly face fades out 
there and is never seen again in 'any 
other event of his life > and whose love 
and care was so longed for and so 
much needed in the many months and 
years that followed . 

The next scene that I recall and 
which seems to be just as far back in 
the mazy distance , and in a cloud even 
more dense , is that of a father’s form 
standing in the door-way, as he calls to 
the little ones to break to them the 
sad news that mother had passed away 
and bid them come in to the scene that 
was , for him , the saddest possible ; but, 
to the motherless little ones, so little 
understood that it is all lost to memory . 

Following the call to come into the 
house , the veil seems to fail. And none 


28 


ONE OF FOUR 


of the circumstances of the closing scene 
or of the preparations for tho last fare" 
well can now be recalled . And can we 
not see , in this drawing of the veil, the 
hand of God put forlh to shut out 
from memory all but the sweet face of 
a mother as she bends , in love and 
tenderness , over the difficulties of her 
little child to make the last and only 
impression of her life upon the mind of 
the child who is to go through life 
and never know a mother’s love and 
care. At any rate it was so, and we 
passod on through the melancholy days 
that followed . 

The loneliness of a child that has 
been deprived of a mother’s love and 
care is not known to any one who is 
in a state of mind and condition of 
life to realize , fully , what it means . 

The small child that needs such care 
most is too young to realize it ; And 
when he arrives at years of maturity 
the memory fails to reach far enough 


MORNING SHADOWS 


back to recall the sadness and loneliness 
of those days . 

The father , realizing this t seeing the 
sad state in the neglected appearance of 
so many features of the home keeping 
and in so many unfinished tasks , with 
no promise beyond the present state, 
and reading between the lines , so well 
marked on sad faces , and in the deep 
blue of so many little eyes that were 
turned on him , the emotions that were 
holding and swaying with po wers unseen 
and , to others , unknown , resolved to see 
that some one who really cared should 
come to his assistance and help to dry 
the deep blue of those appealing eyes 
and gladden the lioarts of those who 
were now looking for help to him alone, 
and who were now so ready to respond 
to the love and care that they so much 
needed . And all were delighted when 
it was announced that Aunt Clara , 
father’s unmarried sister , was to come ana 
take charge as governess for the children. 


CHAPTER III 


LASTING IMPRESSIONS 


Until Aunt Clara could arrange to 
come , the older sister f May , though only 
seven years of age , assumed , in a meas¬ 
ure > the duties that belong to a house 
keeper , and , with the assistance of 
“ Aunt Nicie ” ( the old negro woman ), 
did the best she could to regulate 
affairs and keep order in the home • In 
this capacity , May was performing with 
becoming grace , but not without difficul¬ 
ties • The younger children were not , 
at all times , disposed to make the work 
and management easy for her ; But even 
went so far as to resent her assuming 
these duties when she undertook to do 
for them the little things , so necessary, 
and that would have been neglected if 
she had failed to do them . 

I must now confess that some of 
these after-duty troubles were due to the 
conduct of Jim . 


LASTIN G IMPRESSIONS 


One fair morning , after James had 
made a vigorous protest against being so 
roughly handled by an elder sister , who 
sought what would be ? for her , the 
most convenient and expeditious method 
by which she might separate the boy 
and the dust as she attempted to put 
him through a bath and prepare him 
lor a respectable appearance at the break¬ 
fast table , and was about to fail , when 
she had become thoroughly convinced 
that her efforts alone would not avail , 
the father was called to the scene and 
Jim awoke to a sense of his folly and 
the vanity of protest only when a limb 
from a near-by peach tree seemed bent 
on sticking to him , even closer than a 
sister, who had now repaired to a safe 
distance and was looking on with a feel¬ 
ing more of pity than satisfaction . 

So helpful did this little perform¬ 
ance prove to be, both to Jim in the 
regulation of his moral conduct , and to 
May in the accomplishment of her purpose, 


ONE OF FOUR 


that Jim was soon at the table looking 
as clear and bright as the morning ; a 
wiser and better boy , and with an im¬ 
pression on his mind that has remained 
to this day . 

The experience of this morning went 
very far in impressing Jim with the 
wisdom of coming to complete submis - 
sion to the will of those who know best, 
and in preparing him for the kindly 
advice of Aunt Clara , who arrived after 
many days of waiting , during which the 
promise of her coming was many times 
renewed , and plans for the respectful 
obedience of all younger membors of the 
family to her will were suggested , well 
formed , announced and unanimously 
adopted . 

So much was Jim impressed with this 
agreement and the process by which 
he was prepared for it > that he began 
to feel that it would neither be becom¬ 
ing nor wise for him to enter any pro¬ 
test against hi? preparation for any meal 


LASTING IMPRESSIONS 


that might be prepared for him , nor 
against devouring f with all relish possible , 
any article of food that “Auntiemight 
suggest or have put to his plate • 

So with perfect submission 5 he allowed 
himself to be lifted into a high chair 
and helped to a bowl of hash seasoned 
with onions . Now Jim had no objec¬ 
tions to offer to “ hash ” and has never 
since entertained any objection to it , 
as a dish . In fact , from the frequent 
use that he has made of it in late 
years , both in the pulpit and out , one 
might infer that he has a peculiar and 
special liking for it , as a dish , and 
great faith in it , as truth twice told • 

But his objection to the seasoning has 
never since been held as a secret . 

He has never felt perfectly safe in 
making an attempt to hold his objec¬ 
tions to onions a secret since , at that 
time, he so utterly and ignominiously 
failed . He was too young to know the 
limit of his powers and recognize the 


34 


OEN OF FOUR 


impossible ; And in humble compliance 
with the expressed desire of his aunt 
Clara , made up his mind to eat the 
hash f seasoning and all , with all the 
relish possible f not-with-standing his ex¬ 
treme aversion to the flavor of the dish 
and his serious doubts consenting his 
ability in the premises . The seasoning 
went straight to his stomach , and just 
as promptly returned . It was all so 
sudden and so impressive that now , after 
many years , the memory of the event 
is so vivid and brings it before me as 
real and present that to indulge it pro¬ 
duces a sensation very much the same 
as that experienced on that eventful 
morning . 

A child’s need of these impressive 
experiences and lessons is so great and 
urgent that kind fate will sometimes 
arouse one from slumber , even in the 
night time , for one extra . 

Tin’s , of course, will often prevent 
taking more rest than is necessary for the 


LASTING IMPRESSIONS 


body of the sleeper at the cost of too 
much loss from the enlargement of the 
life and the developement of the mind . 

This kind fate * when arousing one in 
the night time , is not always careful to 
furnish a light by which we may see 
the dangers > nor to lead us to joyous 
experiences . But many times the prob¬ 
lem that we face is to locate , in the 
dark , not only the objects that insist 
upon presenting themselves to us before 
we are ready to meet them , dealing 
harshly with us , but also even ourselves. 

The truth of all of this was made 
manifest to Jim in the very next lesson. 

Nice enough to be cared for and have 
the important lessons of life impressed 
upon you , to be tucked in bed with a 
good-night kiss and assured that“ Auntie ” 
is to be near you through all the long 
hours of the night ; but there were other 
desires and needs just as great as these. 

“Auntie ” would fall asleep and forget, 


ONE OF FOUR 


But Jim could not forget that now , 
even while others are asleep , he must 
have a drink • And now comes the la¬ 
borious and exhausting task of arousing 
“Auntie ” to a realization of the condi¬ 
tion , of the great and unrent need and 
of her responsibility in the matter . 

When it finally dawned upon “Auntie ” 
that she was still in a world of troubles, 
she arose to go down stairs , with Jim , 
for the much needed and greatly desired 
refreshment . 

As the electric system was not , at that 
time , a convenience in the country , the 
only button that one could touch with 
any desirable effect was the one to 
make the robe secure while they fought 
away the darkness , some of which they 
found to be only imaginary , as they hunt¬ 
ed for the stairway and descended . 

With his hand on the hand of Aunt 
Clara and his foot on the same step with 
her Jim felt somewhat secure ; But when 
they made the curve , where there was 


LASTING IMPRESSIONS 


for Aunt Clara a long step and for Jim 
a short one , they reversed the order ; 
Aunt Clara stepped short and did not 
go down as she intended , raid Jim step¬ 
ped long and , loosing his hold on Aunt 
Clara’s hand , went down many more 
steps and far more rapidly than he in¬ 
tended . At this rapid gait he reached 
the water bucket at the foot of the stairs 
much sooner than he intended , and when 
lie was picked up had more water than 
lie desired , another dreadful bath and a 
robe full of good cool water to take 
back to bed . At any rate that was the 
way it impressed him and he never for¬ 
got it . 

One can scarcely believe that a night 
will draw its self out into two or threo 
years , but as we retire again and wait 
for the return of day it seems that this 
night must have continued to hold its 
shadows down upon us for many months. 

We recall no other event, as success¬ 
ive , until we see Jim, who must now be 


33 


ONE _OF FOUR 


ne.ir five or six years of age following 
the tracks of his father in the deep snow 
as they make their way down to the new 
barn , endeavoring to reach the full length 
of his father’s steps which have been 
made to accommodate his short reach ; 
and then again with J. W- on top of a 
tall corn pen throwing corn to the hogs , 
one ear at a time , and with great glee 
watching the pigs chase one another in 
their contest for possession of what , so 
far as they know , might be the last ear 
thrown , and continuing this until the 
pigs would no longer give chase and even 
had a supply on the ground sufficient 
for another feed-and how much more 
they might have had if the father had 
not appeared on the scene to put an 
end to the sport , it would be difficult 
to say . 

Here memory fails and we loose 
si Hit of Jim until we see him , on a fine 
October morning , drawing on a pair of 
boots that are ornamented with red tops 


LASTING IMPRESSIONS 


and brass toes, in preparation for bis 
first day at school . This eventful day 
impressed him , as it has impressed many 
others , as one of the great days of life . 

He was now permitted to look not 
only at his own new book , with its 
strange disfigurements , bnt also at many 
strange marks and figures formed on the 
board dy others , and to hear the “ cross¬ 
wise ” looking teacher announce many new 
and strange rules . He was looking too , 
for the first time , upon a group organ¬ 
ized for a definite purpose in school work , 
which purpose he supposed was to pre¬ 
pare the boys and girls to appreciate the 
freedom of the play ground as they were put 
through a season of testing in which they 
could only cast shy glances f with one 
eye , keeping the other always on the 
teacher to permit an occasional loosening 
of the elbow to accommodate the boy 
immediately in front by laying low the 
bunch of hair that insisted upon standing 
upon end on the top of his head t or 


40 


ONE OF FOUR 


the releasing of a paper wad that was 
no longer needed by the one who held 
it and who seemed confident that he 
could so direct it that it would serve 
a purpose at the other side of the room . 

These maneuvers were all new to 
Jim and to watch them and study the 
artful tricks of the more daring ones 
consumed most of his time except when 
occupied by an occasional glance nt liis 
new book when the eyes of the teacher 
would turn his way . 

To this round of arts , pleasures and 
duties Jim soon became well accustomed 
and , in time , was recognized as an aver¬ 
age scholar at Ellis school . At least 
it was acknowledged that he easily stood 
“fifty fifty ” with Cuddy ? Chuck-aJuck 
and Breeches, in hopscotch, town ball t 
and deportment ; noUwith-standing the 
fact that , several times , he narrowly es¬ 
caped being suspended in the air , with a 
string looped around his ear and attach¬ 
ed to the chandelier, by coming back to 


L AST IN G IMPRESS I ONS 


consciousness just as the teacher drew 
up on the string to lift his sleeping 
form from the bench . 

Later on in school life he passed to 
that experience , so common with the 
average boy , in which his glances were 
most all cast in the same direction , 
reaching , most every time > the same 
objective . The reader will readily under¬ 
stand when we explain that , of all these 
shy glances , Bettie was the willing vic¬ 
tim . He found in her so many of those 
charms and fine graces that his sense 
of appreciation and evident interest not 
only marked him as normal and made 
him ridiculous , but doubtless also , in a 
large measure , contributed to his failure 
as a speller and his “ turning down ” in 
the class until there arose a continual 
contest between him and his boy chum, 
who is now a Philadelphia lawyer , for 
the place second from foot . 

How long this contest continued , and 
the same circumstance contributed to his 


c 


42 


ONE OF FOUR 


part in it , we do not know . But we 
are led to believe that Jim must have 
been a fairly average student in other 
branches as his general average seemed 
to keep pace very well with others of 
his difficulties , age and intelligence . 

Then out of charitable consideration 
as well as in self defense , we are dis¬ 
posed to contend that spelling is natu 
rally a very difficult art for se me peo¬ 
ple , even of good average intelligence; 
that the power to spell well and easily , 
is a gift , and is not to be acquired by 
some, even after much experience and 
hard study . 

If this contention has any support 
beyond the testimony of this print , we 
are not to infer that the struggle of 
Jim , for even second place if m foot , was 
due to any lack of aver intelligence. 


CHAPTER IV 


RUMORS OF WEDDINGS 

Let no one think that all rumors that 
are passed about in society pass over the 
heads of children of few years , that the 
nature of a rumor cannot disturb them 
that its passing is not a matter that is even 
likely to engage their consciousness, or that 
they have no conception of the natural 
order of life or of the effect such order 
may have on them . 

If we allow our thoughts to stray 
like this some day we will find our selves 
face to face with a little fellow who will 
have a grasp of things that will be , to 
us , surprising and astonishing , if not 
even embarrassing # 

The whispered words concerning the 
Doctor’s attentions to Aunt Clara struck 
the drums of little ears with the same 
force with which they struck those of 
larger ones ; And the matter of the pos¬ 
sibility of Aunt Clara’s oversight coming 
to a speedy termination was one often 
discussed in small groups of little folks, 
with much speculation as to what could 


ONE 


OP 


FOUR 


be done in such event to , in any meas¬ 
ure , fill the place in the home and in the 
hearts of the little ones as Aunt Clara 
had filled it , was often indulged, 

In course of time it came to the cars 
of the children that the father , in whom 
they had the utmost confidence as one 
who could not make a serious mistake 
when using his best judgement, and who 
would never fail to exercise his very 
best judgement in deciding questions of 
great moment , realizing too that Aunt 
Clara might decide that she could not 
remain in the home and care for the 
children longer , and that this decision 
may be announced just any time and 
without much warring ( which did occur } 
as is the usual order in the life of a 
young lady of fine qualities whose presence 
will both grace and brighten' the life 
of any home ) remembering the promise 
made tothe mother that he would en¬ 
deavor to keep the children together 


EU MORS OF WEDDINGS 


and with him , in order to hold the 
familv together and do his best for them 
had just about decided to bring into the 
home life; a stepmother for his children". 

To them this was an idea entirely new. 

They had never heard of such an in¬ 
novation as this . While they had al¬ 
ways exercised the utmost confidence in 
their father and in his judgement and 
were still disposed to do so, there arose 
some doubt concerning the wisdom and 
desirability of this new move . But after 
an informal meeting of the younger mem¬ 
bers 'of the family , in which they discuss¬ 
ed freely this new move that the father 
proposed to make , it was found that the 
feeling of doubt was shared by every 
prospective stepchild present . 

After due consideration , however , it was 
unanimously decided that each one should 
keep silent, conseal all of their feelings ? 
and hope for the best . They found 
this very easy to do , as none of them 
were pressed for an expression of opin- 


ONE OF FOUR 


ion concerning the contemplated move , 
and they were not perfectly satisfied con¬ 
cerning the propriety of offering it unso¬ 
licited . So not-withstanding all of the 
opinions aid doubt3 entertained by the 
four, none of whom were yet in their 
teens , the day arrived and the event 
transpired . As for any account of the 
wedding , in initiate detail , I am sure 
that none of the four could now give it ; 

But a day to be long remembered was 
that on which the father and his second 
wife who was now the stepmother arrived. 

We can easily imagine how much the 
most timid of the little ones dreaded to 
appear and be introduced , petted and 
kissed , as they knew would now be the 
order . At this age James ( we will 
now call him “James” ,for he is now old 
enough to enjoy larger mention , and will 
naturally fill more space ,) entertained a 
great aversion to being kissed in the mouth, 
unless he could select the one who would 
be willing to perform the unpleasant task , 


HUMORS OF WEDDINGS 


47 


But as , in this instance , lie had no 
choice , he resigned himself to his fate 
and , relying on his father’s judgement , 
took the consequences . 

Had there been any just and reasonable 
.grounds for his suffering such consequences 
as followed , this part of the record would 
be missing ; But, as there were no such 
grounds and the consequences were only 
the results of a foolish imagination , we 
will complete the record . 

In the excitement that accompanied 
the various introductions the father failed 
to notice all that transpired , And when 
the company got settled down to compar¬ 
ative quiet 4 again , he turned to James and 
said “ Son , did you kiss your new mother?'” 
“ Yes ” , replied James (with an air of sat¬ 
isfaction in an opportunity to deliver him¬ 
self ) , u I did , but it made me sick ”* 
A roar of laughter was all that James 
remembered of what followed . If any more 
questions were put to him that day by his 
father they are not available for record , 


ONE OF FOUR 


48 


During the weeks and months that 
followed the children were more and 
more impressed with the good judgement 
of the father as exhibited in the selection 
of a stepmother for his children . 

Though she brought with her two 
children of her own by a former mar¬ 
riage aid all were domiciled in the same 
home and under the same management , 
no difference that would indicate that 
they were not all children of the same 
parentage was ever noticed by any one . 

Never did any mother exercise more 
tender care or show more consideration 
for her own children than did this good 
stepmother for each of these. 


CHAPTER 


V. 


THE OLD MILL 


As there were now two farms to be 
managed and these four miles apart , and 
connected with oue ef them a large 
water mill and lumber works , it was de¬ 
cided that it would be wise and economy 
to move to the farm that had connect¬ 
ed with it these other enterprises that 
required constant and close attention . 
Accordingly this was done . 

This farm was located on old Cedar 
Creek , which marks the division line be¬ 
tween Boone and Calloway counties , And 
was largely within the compass of what 
was known as horse-shoe bend. It was 
where the creek made a curve around about 
eighty acres of land , including the house 
and improvements , also the mill and its 
works . This creek formed a curve 
around this portion of the estate and, al¬ 
most completing the circle , came back 


ONE 


OF FOUR, 


within about one hundred yards of the 
beginning of the curve , then running 
along parallel with the line of its self 
above the curve for several hundred feet 
before it turned again and found its 
general course toward the Missouri river. 

Between these two parallel lines of the 
creek there was a tali steep bluff slant* 
ing up from the waters of the creek , on 
each side , to a narrow ridge that stood 
above the level of the water about two 
hundred feet , and formed what was called 
“ The Back Bone This Rack Rone was 
about three hundred yards long and 
reached from the highest point auove tne 
water down to the level of the mill. 

It had been worked over and leveled 
down some so that there was room for a 
two-horse wagon to come down from the 
highest point to the mill , but not room 
enough for one wagon to pass another 
on the way . 

This was a dangerous and much dread¬ 
ed descent,And it has since been worked 


THE OLD MILL 



down more and the roadway enclosed 
with rock walls on each side at the most 
dangerous points . For many years the 
farmers from the north came down this 
Hack Bone ” with wagon loads of grain , 
with much dread , and with very little 
assurance of a safe landing . 

The old mill stood near the foot of 
the Back Bone , between the two lines of 
the creek and at the point where the 
lower end of the curve made the nearest 
approach to the upper , was of the old 
type and run by water-power. 

The water came through trom the creek 
on the upper side of the bend and passed 
over a large pocket-filled wheel to the 
creek again at the lower side of the bend. 

This water , the flow and weight of 
which turned the large wheel that was 
connected with and put in motion all of 
the machinery of the mill , was turned 
through a small tunnel under the bluif 
into what was colled tne “ mill race ” 
by lifting a head gate , which was lowered 


FOUR 


to close the entrance to the tunnel when 
the flow of water was not needed „ 

This water , as it passed through , was 
directed to strike the large wheel on one 
side only , filling the large packets with 
the water , thus increasing the weight of 
the wheel on one side only . causing it 
to revolve and throw in motion the ma¬ 
chinery of the mill . As the pcckets 
around the wheel were all set with the 
same slant, the revolving of the wheel, 
when once thrown in motion , would cause 
all of the pockets on the assending side 
to empty as those on the descending side 
were filled by the flow of water and 
went down with their weight , keeping 
the wheel in motion . In order to stop 
the machinery the supply of woo ter was 
shut off, The filledpoekets on the wheel 
would go down and empty , And .with 
no more filled to pull the wheel it would 
come to a balance and stop , the water 
passing on to the creek on the lower 
side of the bluff. 


THE OLD MILL 


At the foot of this Back Bone, or 
where it came to the lowest point , and 
where the tunnel was cut through to the 
mill . it suddenly formed another curve 
upward , like it might he afflicted with 
some serious deformity of the spine , or 
was now w here the extension was not to 
he regarded as part of the Back Bone , 
hut only a representation of that append¬ 
age terminating the body of a whipped 
cur , with a curve upward near the front 
of it coming down to the level of the 
land and dragging away as though all 
courage and pow T er to lift it again w r ere lost. 

- It was on this curve upwaid the 
dwelling house stood , something near three 
hundred yards from the mill, and was 
reached by a roadway curving around the 
edge of the bluff with a long and 
gradual ascent . 

But before we look in on the home 
life here , we pause to look to the hills 
and valleys surrounding these home scenes . 
that we may gather from them some 


ONE 


OF 


FOUR 


r»f 


idea of the picturesque beauty of the 
surroundings and of the part that nature 
played in the joys of this home life . 

Beneath the hill on which this dwell¬ 
ing house stood ran the waters of Cedar 
Creek , which , at times , were quiet and 
not being pushed on by the coming down, 
in large volume , of waters from above , 
would settle into deep pools at the low 
points in the bed of the creek . At these 
times , when the water was low , these 
deep pools were connected only by a 
shallow stream of water that furnished 
much of the stirring life and music of 
nature as it rippled over the roeks to 
the next rest , where it would sink into 
silence and quietness , for a while , and 
await its time to join again in the mu¬ 
sic of the waters as it comes to the sur¬ 
face and is again cro wded over to find rest 
again in another pool nearer the great 
waters of the deep , to which it must 
finally go . 

The moving of this body of water , 


THE 


OLD MILL 


a portion of which never ceased rushing 
on with its millions of forms of moving 
life , furnished not only its millions of 
sparkling suns and music for the lover of 
nature in the dav time . but , for those 
who would slumber on the brow of the 
hill , it sent up also many “ songs in the 
night 77 . 

After the passing of a cloud to the 
north , this stream often spread before one , 
looking from the hill-top , a very awe-in¬ 
spiring scene , when the deep and dark 
waters , swelling with power , came roll¬ 
ing down , bearing on its busom sticks , rails 
and planks , and even great logs and trees, 
as though it were moving in conquest 
of all the low lands near the deep , and 
going prepared to plant , at once , all that 
the ravished lands could furnish to line 
and adorn its own sea of rest. 

A few hours after the storm is 
over , and the wrath of the deep is past 
looking to the east , one may see a steep 
descent to the bed of the creek and get a 


50 


ONE OF FOUR 


splendid view of the ford , where all farm¬ 
ers from the east must cross to reach 
the mill with their grain . 

During the busy season it was interest¬ 
ing to see , in the procession that came 
that way , the many and various convey¬ 
ances in and on which their loads and 
burdens were transported . As we look , 
there comes a two-horse wagon drawn by 
a team of mules that have proved them¬ 
selves able to draw as much as fifteen 
or twenty sacks of grain from a distance 
of four or five miles . Next comes the 
four-horse team drawing a well-leaded 
wagon , that was knocking lazily and 
heavily , and one could easily see that it 
had come many miles out of the dark¬ 
ness of the previous night and through 
many long and muddy lanes . Next comes 
one on horse-back with a full sack of 
grain that had to be rolled forward more 
than once a 3 the rider ascended the hill 
and found that his sack of grain could 
not keep up speed with the horse as he 


TIIE 


OLD MILL 


pulled for the brow of the hill. 

This rolling of the sack forward was 
easy enough for a full-grown man , But 
lor a boy it was a very difficult task . 

many times , when the sack would fail 
to keep up , we have seen a little fellow 
exercise judgement enough to turn the 
horse around , with its head down hill , 
in order that the law of gravitation might 
be brought into effect to aid in solving 
the problem of readjustment . 

As it is now growing late , the mill 
going has ceased and the men and boys, 
having arrived at the mill , are preparing 
their beds of sacks and pillows of sacked 
grain with a view to rest and sleep while 
they await the movement of the machin¬ 
ery of the mill for their turn the next 
day , we tarn to follow the scene toward 
the dropping sun . 

Looking to the west , down an incline, 
through corn fields and meadows , we can 
see the returning stream of the waters 
of the creek as it found its course 


ONE OF FOUR 


northward to the west side of the mill , 
at the foot of the Backbone, which pre¬ 
vented it from making the circle com¬ 
plete . Across this stream to the west 
was a range of bluffs that caught the 
first beams of the rising sun to reflect 
the beauty of the morning light, And then 
in the evening sent out the shadows 
over the home , giving the effect of an 
early sunset and a prolonged twilight , 
in which , as the shadows deepened , the 
child mind could picture , in the forms of 
trees and crags on the hill-tops y many 
large and hideous looking monsters that 
seemed to be giving a solemn warning 
to ail the young and helpless not to re¬ 
main out side in the shadows until those 
figures that are throwing them over might 
come down with them in the darkness 9 
bringing on the belated child all the ter¬ 
rors that they portend . 

These pictures , formed by the child 
mind , would not have been very conducive 
to sound slumber had it not been that 


THE OLD 


MILL 


59 


the intense interest of the inner home 
life caused them to fade long before the 
call for 4 * bedtime”. And so completely 
had they faded out by the time the sun¬ 
light touched the scene again that the 
gray rocks, the wavering hills and the 
blend of colors in the forest beauty all 
combined to enable even the child to start 
the new day with full appreciation of 
surroundings , as he looks again to the 
beauty of the hills . 

These scenes were of great interest 
to the occasional visitor > also, many of 
whom would come during the summer 
months to fish and hunt , carrying away 
with them fish , game , curious stones 
Indian arrows , and beautiful shells many 
of which could de picked up along the 
creek and on the hill-tops , and to enjoy 
an outing amid these scenes of rare 
beauty that surrounded the old mill.. 


CHAPTER 


VI 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 

For the lover of sport in the form 
of fishing , much of the pleasure of this 
life would fail if he failed to sec in it 
the drawing , from the streams , of fish¬ 
nets or hooks with their shining , drip¬ 
ping and curling catch , that puts into the 
spirit and life of one w r ho enjoys such 
sport the thrill of worth-while living. 

As most people are constituted with some 
sense of appreciation of this form of di¬ 
version , we may be well assured that 
this form of recreation was not over¬ 
looked . 

At that time fish and game laws 
were not so strict in Missouri , And any 
one . or any company , could effect their 
catch with sein , net , trap , hook , or any 
device known that would be effective . 

The result was every device known to 
be effective was used in this form of sport. 

It was a great time when a few 


ONE OF FOUH 


t>\ 


families owning a pardnership sein would 
meet at a time and place appointed , the 
men to manage the sein and catch , which 
was not without some difficulty when the 
sein would hang on a large rock or snag , 
in deep water, and some one would have 
to dive to the bottom to release it. 

Then , as they came around with the 
end of the sein , the man who held and 
managed the staff found no small diffi¬ 
culty when he struck water too deep to 
wade and would have to swim and man¬ 
age the staff , keeping cne end of it close 
to the ground that the fish may not 
escape under the sein . Then when the 
landing was effected , if the catch was not 
sufficient another “haul” was made > and 
then another , if necessary , And this was 
continued until the catch was all that 
was desired . Then , with all hands busy, 
they would soon de cleaned and prepared 
for the frying pan , which the ladies 
would have ready , And soon all would 
be enjoying the feast and fellowship that 


ONE 


OF 


FOUR 


02 


would cliaracterize one of the great days 
of the season * 

For home use , the family at the mill- 
home could be supplied with choice fish 
every day . The arrangement of the 
head and check gates in the mill race , 
decame a great convenience for gathering 
choice fish in great numbers. It was 
so easy to lift the head-gate and , at the 
same time , have a trap-gate at the other 
end of the race , and when as many 
fishes as was desired had passed through 
to the trap-gate , lower the head-gate , 
thus closing off the flow of water and 
letting it pass on to the creek below 
leaving the fishes behind the trap-gate. 

In this way fishing was done with 
certainty , And only the choice ones 
were taken as all small ones passed , with 
the water , through the gate . 

It was a great sight to look on the 
flouncing , bouncing fishes , manifesting 
their uneasiness after the water had passed 
through the gate and gone . But to a 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


hare foot boy > it ay as not a great tempt¬ 
ation to jump in among the fishes and 
fins and take his choice. 

15ut there were other means for the 
enjoyment of sports and pleasures that 
were just as alluring and held equally 
as much charm for the boy . These wen- 
enjoyed by more than the human , For 
there was another being that had some 
part in most all of the sports in which 
the two boys of this home indulged . It 
was “ Coley ” , the little black dog that 
was always present and ready to enter 
into any pleasure that could charm a boy . 

And any account of these sports that 
would ignore this ever-present figure would 
not be complete Nor would tiny men¬ 
tion that one might make of a boy and 
his sports , calling it inclusive and ignor¬ 
ing the presence and the part played 
by his dog , be of any interest to that 
boy, more than to find in it an oppor¬ 
tunity for him to show his resentment 
and declare it an insult to his nature. 


64 


ONE OF FOUR 


That Coley took a deep interest in the 
boys , in every thing they undertook to 
do and in every journey they made, goes 
without question . But , because of some 
physical ailment , he could not always 
keep in the shadow of the boys , which 
seemed to be his fixed purpose in life . 

When the weather was warm and he 
found it necessary to go through any vi¬ 
olent exercise to keep up , he would often 
suffer an attack of dizziness that would 
cause him to stagger from the path , and 
even describe a circle and fall . When it 
came to this he was promptly picked up 
and carried , the boys taking “ turn'about” 
to the end of the journey . For to leave 
Coley in a plight like that would spoil 
all fun for the boys, break the spirit of 
his dogship , and possibly result in an ir¬ 
reparable loss and death . So Coley either 
followed or was carried to many places 
where his presence was not a necessity 
at all. 

There were numerous water-holes in 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


the creek where . in warm and dry sea¬ 
sons , the water stood almost still long 
enough to warm up and become inviting , 
and a great temptation to break over a 
commandment and exercise themselves as 
would-be swimmers would be held out to 
two little boys; And James and J. AY., 
with all their virtues , would sometimes 
be completely overcome and fall , not only 
into temptation , but also into the water . 

Many times during the summer they 
fouud their great pleasure splashing in 
the water and playing in the warm sun 
and sand until long past the time they 
were expected at the house . 

One evening , at bed-time , it became 
evident to a good stepmother that a 
positive commandment had been broken 
when she was called to ccme and see 
if she could discover what was causing 
the burning and stinging sensation on the 
backs of the boys . One look was enough 
and the case was well in hand . 

She at once decided that the patients 


GG 


ONE OF FOUR 


should not be disturbed any more than 
was necessary , and , as the disturbance 
each was making seemed to be all that 
was necessary for the other , saying very 
little , either of condemnation or comfort , 
she decided to go at once for the cream 
pitcher and try to give some relief to' two 
little sun-burnt backs from which most 
of the skin was either gone or preparing 
to go . Thinking the sad plight sufficient 
punishment , she began at once to apply 
the cream and give directions for the 
night , consoling the boys with the promise 
that they would be allowed to sleep on 
their sides and faces until well again . 

Not far from the mill stood another 
institution that is worthy of mention , as 
it was the seat of much of the interest 
and activity of the younger members of 
the family and also of some other youths 
of the neighborhood . It was an old 
tenant house that was no longer used as 
such , and was now converted into a 
school-house for the use of the family 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


at the mill-house and two or three other 
families who lived so far from the district 
school that it was not convenient for them 
to attend it . 

This plan had obtained before the 
present tenant-school-house was opened ; 

A number of terms had been taught 
by various teachers in a room of the 
dwelling house on the hill , the teachers 
boarding with the family . But now as 
the tenant house was vacant and the 
mother was desirous of having the school 
at a greater distance from her , that she 
may not be disturbed , in the perform¬ 
ance of her household duties , by the 
noise of the school , the tenant house was 
put in order for school work and a lady 
teacher was employed to do the best she 
could with the raw material that she 
was now to have in hand and , as she 
supposed , at her command . In holding 
this position I am sure she was not 
envied by any one else who was at all 
competent to teach . 


ONE OF 


FOUR 


The teacher , very widely , made it a 
paint to try to teach the pupil* to sing 
and be joyous and happy , which state 
is not conditioned on intelligence . There¬ 
fore she could entertain some hope that 
her work for the school may not be en¬ 
tirely lost. That she did accomplish 
something along this line we are sure ; 
For some of those songs have never been 
forgotten; but have been oiing and pass¬ 
ed down to another generation . 

As you think of the wise plans and 
faithful endeavors ot tins teacher , and 
form your ideas oi tier part in the 
activities of that institution as she filled 
the days with honest endeavors , do not 
think, that her days there were all tilled 
with pleasures . As is common in ihe 
life of the school teacher, many tilings 
came up to mar her pleasure . Even the 
most considerate and obedient one in the 
school could scarcely be considered en¬ 
tirely innocent of all contributions to 
that end. 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


Some of the boys and girls who at¬ 
tended this little accommodation school 
were kept in mind and their careers 
watched with great interest by the mem¬ 
bers of this family as long as it was pos¬ 
sible to keep track of them . 

To give their full names would not 
be at all difficult ; But, as we have not 
their consent to do this , we will not give 
their names in full . 

We remember , well , another family 
of four , two boys and two girls , who 
w r ere near neighbors and attended this 
little home school . They were Lula , 
Callie , Sam and Jim . Lula , the oldest , 
was one of those strong , independent \ 
self-reliant characters who , in a large 
measure , took charge of the other three 
and led the way along the winding and 
narrow path , down the creek , to school 
and back home in the evening , calling 
back , to the narrow path , the smaller ones 
who would some times linger at the edge 
of the water and paddle in it with their 


70 


ONE OF FOUR 


bare feet , or scamper up the side of the 
bluff, to scare or catch a squirrel that 
would bound up ahead of them , or to 
examine one of the numerous caverns 
and holes , under the ledges of rocks , 
where they kept their traps set for various 
kinds of fur animals , and would look for 
the game as they went to and from school . 

As they would turn aside to these 
various places of interest , Lula , being the 
oldest } was the one who had to keep in 
mind the time of day , the length of time 
that they could , and could not, afford to 
waste. This was no small task either, 
as we all know that time has a way of 
flying ; And it flies very fast as we 
look , with interest , on the work or pleas¬ 
ure of those of our companions who seem 
to he entirely unaware of its passing. 

Callie was the youngest of the four . 

She was not in the home school long, 
as she fell from a horse , when quite 
young , and sustained such injuries thai 
she never recovered . 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


For many weeks she was unable to 
attend school , to the sorrow of aR ; For 
she was a lovely child and loved by all. 

She lived and suffered lor a few 
months and passed away . 

Sam was a boy who might have had 
much more self-assertion and been much 
more self-reliant than he was. 

He was well built , strong and in good 
proportion , impressing one as a boy with 
strength enough to defend himself against 
the imposition of others , and to contend 
for and secure his natural rights , regard¬ 
less of the designings of other bo}s of 
his age . But, if he possessed any such 
powers , they were allowed to lie dormant, 
while poor , timid Sam suffered many 
indignities Irorn other boys who were 
disposed to enjoy at his very great expense. 

Upon one occasion Sam was ordered ? 
by J . W . and another boy of the school, 
to prepare himself to die . The chief 
item of preparation , which they insisted 
upon , was that Sam should get the spade 


ONE OF FOUR 


and dig a grave for the interment of his 
body * Of course Sam was very reluctant 
to do this and begged to be excused . 
But J. W. , the prosecutor , and the 
judge , were relentless , and no reprieve 
would be considered . 

James , of this story , seeing Sam’s awful 
plight , and , in his imagination , the sad 
end to which he was surely coming , un¬ 
less something could be done very quick¬ 
ly , undertook to defend him . 

With tears in, his eyes and falling 
down his cheeks , James pleaded , with all 
the earnestness of his soul , for Sams 
release. But the judge who sat on the 
case and waited in readiness to recapture 
and sit on the condemned boy if he 
dared to relinquish his task and attempt 
to escape , informed him that no pleading 
that any attorney could do would have 
any weight w hatever . That the sentence 
was passed , and Sam must die just as 
soon as the grave comd be prepared. 
Which pieparation Sam was, by-, his 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


glow movement, delaying as long as he 
could . In the last throes of despair , Sam 
was shaping out the grave when the 
school bell rang , the execution was staid, 
and Sam escaped with his life. 

Jim was the younger of the two boys, 
not very strong , of a quiet disposition , 
and one who could easily adjust his 
tempers and conduct to get along agree¬ 
ably with all tempers and dispositions iu 
the school . 

There was another boy who came to 
this school, from a near-by tenant house, 
and who was known as “ Will”* 

This boy , being the only child in his 
home , was petted and spoiled , and taught 
and trained to “ let every day provide 
for its self” and 11 be careful for nothing 77 
save to reach home before the fading of 
twilight , and thus save the mother from 
a season of worry that would render her 
almost frantic . 

To reach the school Will had to 
cross the creek , which required the 


ONE OF FOUR 


horse and a helper when the water was 
up., and to reaoh home again he had to 
recross and wend his way around the 
bend and over a very tali, steep hill. 

This circumstance gave to him also 
the distinguishing title u Hill Billie”, 

He was true to his training in all 
of his school work , leaving all care for it, 
and worry over it , for any one else who 
might choose to take it. But as the 
other disciples seemed to have all of that 
kind of joy that they cared for , Billie’s 
load of care was left and not lifted . 

Then when he was called up and re¬ 
quired to “ stay in ” with his load of care, 
in stead of feeling any weight of re¬ 
sponsibility for it , about all that he 
could feel was the depression of spirit 
that came with the shadows , as they be¬ 
gan to lengthen and reach out toward 
the little school house , like some great ? 
dark monster that threatened to swallow 
pupil , teacher , house and all. 

As these shadows came near, the 


75 


PLEASURE AND PROF FT 


only thing that could interest Billie was 
the face of the sun , that was just about 
to leave him for the night. 

He was now seized with a deep 
longing to be free to mount to the hill¬ 
top and see its face once more , before 
it should die in the west and leave in 
its wake a frantic mother, out in the 
darkness , searching , in vain , for the re¬ 
mains of her boy , which remains would 
then be gone to the caverns of the hills 
with the wild beasts of the forest . 

With this picture in Billie’s mind , 
occupying all of his thought and showing 
so plainly in his face, the teacher , see¬ 
ing how hopeless the case had become , 
accepted a promise for tomorrow , forget¬ 
ting , for the time , that tomorrow never 
comes , and let him go home . But not 
until the time of waiting had brought 
out the awful picture that Billie had in 
mind and painted it so it could be 
plainly seen , not only 0:1 his face , but , 
just as well, on the flying heels of his 


ONE 


OF 


FOUR 


•shoes , and the floating tail of his coat, 
as it reached the summit of the hill just 
in time to catch the last rays of the 
falling sun , and , from the hill-top , waved 
a glad good-night to all in the deepen¬ 
ing shadows of the vale . 

As it is so much easier to see the 
faults of others than it is to see our own , 
we look for them now in the school life 
of J . W . At heart he was not a mean 
hoy } but , like some others , he very much 
desired to have his way . The teacher 
found it quite a difficult task to bring 
him to realize that , at school , during 
“ books ” was not the place nor time for 
any boy to have his own way. And 
hence his conception of the situation led 
to many altercations between the teacher 
and himself . Upon such occasions , the 
teacher , having a grasp of so many sub¬ 
jects , one in particular , was able to 
bring forth some strong points , and J. w. 
was often humiliated by his loosing out 
in the arguement. 


PLEASURE AND PROFIT 


As he advanced in his way and 
power of thinking he , of course , stood a 
better show to win out . It oecured to 
him , during one of these altercations , 
that he would stand a much better 
chance to win out if the contest could 
be waged at longer range . So , as the 
controversy became more heated , he de¬ 
cided to give himself more room and 
move about just a little more rapidly 
than the teacher was able to do , with 
dignity . But as she lost her sense of 
dignity , or , for convenience . laid it aside 
for a time , and came closer , J . W . 
leaped over the back of a bench that 
contained the rest of the school and , 
in doing so , turned it over . As the 
teacher did not care to walk over the 
whole school to reach him , and could not 
do so with any degree of dignity , she 
paused a moment , thus giving J . W . a 
chance to make his exit clear and put 
the entire building between the teacher 
and himself. 


ONE OF 


FOUR 


The case was now hopeless and re¬ 
mained so until the father was called to 
come from the mill , supplement the 
arguement of the teacher and restore 
order . 

Many things transpired in the history 
of this institution , bringing to those who 
attended it , not only duties and difficult¬ 
ies , but also much pleasure and profit: 
which , if we should make a record of 
all here , it Avould make of this volume 
a book much larger than intended and 
delay this narrative . So we pass on to 
another scene . 


CHAPTER VII. 


MODES OF TRAVEL 

In looking back on the life we have 
lived it is interesting to note the many 
changes that many of our methods have 
undergone , even in one quarter of a cen¬ 
tury . One that has undergone many 
interesting changes is our method of 
traveling . 

As this narrative is dealing with real 
life in central Missouri , and the writer 
has not traveled extensively ley end the 
hounds of a few central states , whose life 
is very well represented in the life of 
the section with which this narrative 
deals , we will notice only the changes 
in the customs of this one family, and 
in doing so we will get a fair represent¬ 
ation of the changes in the customs of 
many families in many states . 

As it is the custom , and has been 
since we could remember , for the people, 
in attending the services of the church, 


80 


ONI OF FOUR 


on Sundays , if in the country , to go in 
their best and most up-to-date conveyance, 
we will get a better idea of the progress 
and changes in this line if we will go, 
in our thoughts , through the past years , 
over the roads again to church . 

In recalling these journeys to church 
and how they were made , what we re¬ 
cord here will seem almost incredible * 
since . to begin with , we turned the light 
on this scene during the latter half of 
the ninteenth century and declared it vat 
all enacted in central Missouri . And yet 
it is true that , upon one occasion , this 
family made the journey to church , on 
a Sunday morning , in a lumber wagon 
that was drawn by two big stout oxen. 

This church was in the neighbor¬ 
hood to the north, and the only road 
out that way was over the “ Back Bone”. 

It was during a rainy season , large 
volumes of water had come down and 
softened the ground at the foot of the 
great hill, which circumstance placed a bar 


MODES OF 


TRAVEL 


81 


before the team of mules that was first 
enlisted to make the journey . and when 
their inability to draw the wagon over 
this difficult place was proven , old Ben 
and Dick , two of the great heavy oxen 
that were kept on the farm for heavy 
logging , were yoked to the tongue of 
the wagon to draw it on to church , 
while the pious mules , with their good 
intentions , were marked present ” and 
tied to a tree by the roadside to await 
our return . Of course the arrival of 
this outfit at the church had no such 
serious effect as such scene would create 
now . The services were not broken 

up, but continued {is usual , all due al¬ 
lowance being made for u the ox ” hav¬ 
ing been u in the mire A 

This mode of travel was soon dis¬ 
continued , and this happy family found 
themselves at last in a new spring wagon 
bound for the same place of worship . 

This was a real innovation , as none 
but rich people were supposed to ride 


ONE OF FOUR 


in such conveyances , and it was generally 
understood that there were very lew 
rich people within the bounds of the 
circuit , and also that the miller did not 
belong to this number . 

The appearance of this new outfit 
occasioned far more straining of necks 
and curious conjectures than did that of 
the former. And still the preacher was 
able , in a measure, to preserve order and 
continue the service until the time for 
Aunt Lizzie to shout arrived , when , in a 
large measure , of course , he lost control 
of the house . 

The time came , however. when the 
new spring wagon lost its newness and 
began to look old and worn , and now 
to see even a new one at church was 
nothing unusual . as many people , even 
in moderate circumstances , now owned 
and used them , and new ones were ap¬ 
pearing all the time . 

William and James were growing in 
stature , but not in their regard for new 


MODES OF TRAVEL 


white dresses and well set hats . hence 
the girls joined in to help the boys out 
with their arguement that “ it would be 
just as safe and much more convenient 
tor the boys to ride to church on horse 
back . Finally the entreaties prevailed 
and the horse-back ride became mode of 
travel, number three , for the boys . 

This called into service little , old 
“ honest John ” — a little “toe headed ” 
mule— whose strength was amply suffic¬ 
ient to carry the burden and make the 
journey , but whose size was not great 
enough to command , at all times , the 
respect of other animals over v hich he 
was supposed to enjoy and exercise his 
superiority. This was impressed upon 
John and his owner when , one day , 
John came in contact with a savage hog 
that stuck a tooth in his side and left 
him to carry through life an ugly knot 
on his side as a badge of his weakness 
and disgrace. 

Notwithstanding John’s affliction and 


84 


ONE OF FOUR 


weakness , he was counted amply able to 
carry some of lifes responsibilities ,was press¬ 
ed into double duty and required to take 
J . W in the saddle and James behind 
it , any where they desired , and could 
get permission , to go . 

On these journeys John’s patience 
and endurance were sometimes tried to 
the limit and beyond. He offered no 
objection to the weight of his load or the 
length of the journey . But when it 
came to the weight of two leaning to 
one side and then dropping to the other , 
before he could regain his balance , and 
this ending in a pitch and punch battle 
on his back , John regarded such conduct 
ns beyond the limit, and would enter his 
protest by proceeding to unload , with very 
little regard for the safty of his passengers. 

When the unloading was finished ? 
the boys would arise from the dust, each 
charging the other with being responsible 
for the calamity. James would usually 
stand , stunned and waiting , while J . W . 


MODES OF TRAVEL 


85 


being the older , feeling the responsibility 
of again assembling the parts , with his 
hat in his hand , would take the back 
track , hunting his hat and the mule , as 
John , vanishing in the dust , waved his 
farewell and turned on speed for home . 

Thus John left the boys to add to 
their modes of travel - number four . 

This account brings us up to date in 
at least two of the modern modes of 
travel . As long as the mule holds his 
place in society, and he bids fair to do 
so for some time to come, he will not 
cease to be a familiar figure in the life 
and activities of rural communities . 

Of the responsibilities of the rural 
community life we can count on the mule 
to carry his part . But when he is forced 
to the point of rebellion , and one who 
knows his nature knows that he can be , 
there will always be some wise enough to 
prefer to go home as the boys did , and 
the custom of walking will doubtless be 
continued also . 


ONE OF FOUK 


This brings us to mode of travel-num¬ 
ber five , and to the last years of the 
nineteenth century . 

The boys now have buggies in which 
they take the sisters of other boys , and 
other boys come and take their sisters 
who are so insistent on observing the 
principle that a brother should be left 
free to make his own dates , and not be 
hindered by attentions to his own sisters 
who can be just as well attended by boys 
from other homes. 

And now father and mother are 
left to pair off just as in days of yore. 

The one-horse buggy is all that is 
needed . In it they drive over the line 
into a new century filled with sweet 
content , never dreaming that just ahead 
is a new era in which all known meth¬ 
ods of movement will be put to the 
rear , and left , for all time, in the dust 
and dimness of ages past and gone. 


87 


CHAPTER VIII 
DARK DAYS 

For this family it was not all joy 
ami sunshine. This happy life saw its 
portion of the dark days . 

Long ago the cloud of sorrow had 
passed over both sides of this family life , 
and the time had now come when the 
clouds were gathering again. 

Little Annie , the younger of the 
stepsisters , suffered a break of the skin 
on her foot , which formed into an ugly 
sore and caused much annoyance and 
pain , and from which blood poison de¬ 
veloped , resulting in her sudden death . 

This brought great grief upon the 
entire household; for she was a dutiful > 
obedient child , of a sweet disposition , and 
loved by all. 

From this time , for several months , 
the time seemed to drag heavily 3 as ,for 
each little one , the sense of loss was 
made more depressing every lime they 


88 


ONE OF FOUR 


would line up for play . But, happily 
for the child , time seems to swallow up 
their grief. It seems that a kind Prov¬ 
idence can turn on the life of a child a 
gleam of light even when , for older ones , 
the cloud hangs heavily and will not 
pass . 

One day the children were taken 
down to the mill for a few hours of 
pleasure . Upon their return to the house 
in the late after-noon it was announced 
that the doctor had made a visit to the 
home , during their absence , and left a 
little boy , only a few hours old, whose 
name was Thomas, and who was to make 
his abode there , be treated as one of the 
family > and be regarded by each of the 
children as a half-brother ; - owing , they 
thought , to his miniature make up . 

As the older ones watched the growth 
and development of the little half-brother 
they fully expected that some day he would 
be large enough to call a full-brother , 
and the number would again be six . 


DARK DAYS 


This happy thought was soon cloud¬ 
ed again , and it was evident that this 
life was to be filled with experiences 
varying and changing. 

The time came when the father’s 
movements indicated failing health , as 
more and more , as the days went by , 
he was disposed to let the responsibility 
of the work at the mill , on the farm 
and about the home , rest on the strength 
of John and David , the two young men 
who , for many months , had been em¬ 
ployed as helpers , but were now taking 
much of the responsibility of the man¬ 
agement of affairs , as well as of the work* 

As these days of uncertainty and un¬ 
easiness passed , one could notice a gradual 
turning loose , by the father, of much of 
the work and much of the responsibility 
for it . 

It was finally announced that he must 
not go about the place or be out of his 
bed until he had , in a measure , fixed by 
the family physician , regained his health . 


ONE OF FOUR 


This time was looked forward to 
with earnest expectation and great anxiety, 
and the efforts that were put forth to 
bring this happy result were all that 
could be suggested, with any promise. 

The good and faithful physician , 
never wavering in his earnest attention r 
nor failing to respond to every call w r ith 
all of his talents and powers , did all 
that lie could to restore the failing health . 

And when it became evident to him 
that , if he stood alone in his efforts , 
the case would be lost , a specialist was 
called into consultation , and what the at¬ 
tending physician had suspected was con¬ 
firmed . The conclusion was that the 
disease , being an internal cancer , was , 
even from the first , beyond the power 
of all medical skill . 

With this announcement , to all who 
understood how serious it was, all hope 
of the fathers recovery was lost. 

It was now evident that to minister 
to the comfort of the sufferer and , as far 


DARK DAYS 


as possible , relieve the anxiety of mind 
and inevitable pain was all that could 
be done. It was evident also that only 
in a small measure could this be done. 

That anxiety of mind , in the father’s 
solicitude for his children , their future 
conduct and welfare , w r as so great that 
these interests became the subject of 
much of his thought and conversation . 

So much did he desire the best for 
them , and so often and earnestly did he 
plead with them to strive to become true 
men and women , that , had they been 
old enough to. appreciate the great love 
that prompted him and the pathos of his 
pleading , their hearts w T ould have been 
broken many times , as his own true heart 
must have been when they failed to 
respond with that positive assurance that 
he so earnestly desired and so richly 
deserved . 

It was now evident that after all was 
done that could be done to relieve the 
sufferer , the efforts were , in a large 


ONE FO FOUR 


measure futile , for at that time , even 
the physician was ( in the battle with 
pain , almost helpless . How much more 
so were those who could only stand by 
and weep , giving as aid nothing but the 
consolation of a promise that all will be 
well only when disease has done its full 
work , and death , the conqueror of all 
earthly pain , brings it to an end . 

These were the experiences through 
which this family passed for more than 
two years , as , from day to day , all hope 
of the father's recovery faded and was 
finally lost in a cloud of sorrow that fell 
deep and dark , and with all the sadness 
of death , over the home life , when , for 
him who had been so much to all , the 
suffering was ended . 

That the relations and affairs of this 
home.life could not continue as they had 
been was now obvious. There was an 
estate to close , in which various interests 
were involved , and all must be adjusted 
according to the law. 


DARK DAYS 


The children must be provided for, 
and , as the continued care of four child¬ 
ren of another parentage would now tax , 
too heavily , the powers of a good and 
willing stepmother, the four children— 
May , Ellen , William and James , for 
whom a guardian had been appointed , 
must now be separated and sent to the 
homes of relatives who are able and 
willing to care for them . One uncle 
was to take the older sister , May , an¬ 
other uncle was to take the older brother, 
William , and another was to take the 
two younger children , Ellen and James , 
thus giving the two younger children the 
advantage of being in the same home . 

Just what this separation meant to 
these children we will have to leave to the 
vague imagination of those who never knew 
anything less than to enjoy the association 
of an unbroken circle in the home life , and 
to the sad memories of those who have seen 
the disintegration of their own home and 
its life , and felt the pangs of separation 


ONE OF FOUR 


from those most dear . No other account 
can he given . 

Words fail us when we attempt to use 
them to express these emotions . 

They are too sacred to disturb . So we 
leave the description in its vagueness or 
sadness , just as it comes to the mind of 
each , and follow the record of those of 
this broken home-life who were now des¬ 
tined to go in their several ways. 

The elder stepsister , Effie , and the 
little half-brother , Thomas , were to re¬ 
main with their mother on the farm ; and 
of their movements and experiences , from 
this time , the four knew very little . 

One day the four recieved the sad news 
that the good step-mother had taken sick 
suddenly and died . The four step-child¬ 
ren were permitted to return to the old 
mill-home , mingle their tears with those of 
their half-brother and little loved compan¬ 
ion of other days , attend the funeral , and 
separate , to never meet , all together,again . 


RAPID CHANGES 
CHAPTER IX 


In the course of life we find that there 
are times when circumstances will not ad¬ 
mit slow movement. However much we 
may desire to choose our gait and go at our 
leisure , there are times when we are com¬ 
pelled to mend our gait , step more lively 
and even put our powers of momentum to 
flight if we are to entertain any hope of 
reaching a desired goal . 

These times came to some of the sub¬ 
jects of mention in this chapter , as is well 
attested by both methods and results , 

Effie and little Thomas were subjects 
of the guardianship of one of Effie’s own 
kindred ,with whom they were to live , and 
who lived some distance from the county 
line ; and as the members of the family of 
four were all placed some distance from the 
county line , in the opposite direction in 
Boone county , the distance apart was con¬ 
siderable . Hence the two families of 
children were effectually and permanently 


96 


ONE OF FOUR 


separated , and very seldom saw each other 
As the children of the step-mother were 
left with means sufficient to educate them , 
Effie’s guardian suggested that she attend 
college and complete her education . 

To this plan she readily agreed and 
■went to college , while little Thomas grew 
into strong and robust boyhood . remaining 
with his uncle George until Effie finished 
her education and married , when she took 
him to live with her until he grew to man¬ 
hood . He had not much more than attain¬ 
ed unto his majority when the good sister 
came to the end of her earthly journey . 

She lived , however , long enough to 
see him married and settled in his own 
home in Mexico , Missouri , where he now 
resides . 

The little May , of years ago , is now a 
girl so large for her age—which we will 
not tell here , as an important event that is 
subject to an age limit followed so closely— 
that she might easily be taken for a young- 
lady old enough to make her choice of a 


RAPID CHANGES 


companion for life . But as her age was 
so well known to her guardian it became 
necessary for her to make a study of his 
manner and movements and consider what 
attitude he might assume toward any plan 
that she might form concerning David, for 
it was now becoming a matter of conjecture, 
not enveloped in the mystery that May and 
David supposed it was , as to what meaning 
those shy glances might have ; why he 
always chose to remain at home on Sundays 
and be on hands to help with the feeding 
and milking when it was not required of 
him ; what might be the subject of those 
whispered conversations that were carried 
on at no great distance from eager , curious 
listening ears ; and what could be the cause 
of the strange coincidences in which these 
two were always the ones . and only ones, to 
drop behind the crow T d , or lead the pro¬ 
cession ,or form a wing either to the right 
or to the left , being almost invariably the 
ones , and only ones to give to the appear¬ 
ance of the crowd these forms and points . 


ONE OF FOUR 


This young couple supposed , as many 
others have , that , to the eyes of all the 
world, these maneuvers were lost; that 
the innocent , inexperienced , and . conse¬ 
quently , unsuspecting public had never 
even noticed those silent, easy , and seem¬ 
ingly natural and unintentional driftings ; 
and even if they should , the meaning of it 
all would still he enveloped in a great 
mystery that they would not be able to 
solve. But alas ! Others have thought , 
as they thought , t£ It is all our own secret 
and no one else can know it. It is past 
finding out , if we only keep it 

But keep it if you can . It has never 
yet been done , and never can be . 

Love shines out , whether we will it 
so or not, just as evident and just as clear 
as the sunlight . 

And long before May and David realiz¬ 
ed it , the mystery was solved . 

Others were casting shy glances too . 

Others had remained to attend to 
business more than was required too . 


RAPID CHANGES 


89 


Others , too , were passing the same 
wav and bound for the same port. 

Hence they were not surprised at all 
but would have been disappointed had it 
not all terminated just as it did. 

Others , too , have drifted . The roll¬ 
ing tide is on , and has been for ages . 

In all the ages of the world it has never 
ceased to roll . 

Many ships of life have been wrecked 
by the same breakers . 

Many hearts have been bruised and 
broken as they have been carried by the 
same tide and dashed against the same 
rocks that have been, for others , a safe 
refuge , and that mark the land of love and 
dreams . 

It was not in May’s power to change 
her age or cause any one who knew it to 
forget it . Hence she felt that she dare 
not dismiss from her mind all thought of 
her uncle , and what his thoughts and 
movements might be . So David was 
informed that a trip on horse-back , to parts 


100 


ONE 


OF FOUR 


unknown to those not with the company, 
and to a parson unknown in these parts , 
Avould be an absolute necessity if he was 
to be accepted , at onco , and the guardian 
uncle evaded . 

To all of this David readily agreed and 
the trip was promptly planned and the 
journey rapidly and safely made . 

As a marriage license was not required 
in Missouri at that time , very few questions 
were asked and they soon returned “ man 
and wife 

After some years of moving and shift¬ 
ing about in the neighborhood , they 
bought a farm-home , not far from the old 
mill > where the^ have been contented to 
live to this day . 

Many of the common experiences of 
life have come to them , bringing their joys 
and sorrows , as they have lived , loved and 
eared for a family of interesting children . 






m 


CHAPTER X 
CONFLICTING PLANS 

“Cedar Lawn”, as the farm-home of 
the uncle - with whom J . W. was to live- 
was called , was near the sight of another 
“old mill ” of long ago . 

The history of this old mill and its 
usefulness closed so far back in the annals 
of life that the writer can recall nothing 
but an old pond , on the bank of which lay 
an old wheel , about six feet in diameter ,of 
ponderous weight , with all the marks of 
age and discarded energy . This appear¬ 
ance was due to the fact that its connection 
with other parts of the mill had been 
severed , either by over*time working of 
its usefulness , or by the consumption of a 
fire that long ago committed its destruction 
and died . At any rate the wheel remain¬ 
ed to confirm the statement that , at one 
time a mill stood by the pond and did its 
duty in its day of usefulness . 

This old mill and the Cedar Lawn home 


102 


GME OF FOUR 


formerly belonged to J . W.’s grandfather , 
and had been handed down as an inherit¬ 
ance to the youngest son . 

The grandfather had passed away some 
years before , and the old home was mow 
in the charge of the good uncle with whom 
J . W . was to make his home . 

These plans were all formed and agreed 
to by the two uncles , one of whom was 
guardian for the four children . 

This guardian uncle was planning for 
J . W . without his full know ledge and 
consent , and with no suspicion that his 
plans and those of J . W . might conflict . 

J . W . seeing that his guardian seem¬ 
ed to entertain no fear of serious con¬ 
sequences should his plans not meet with 
those of the young lad in perfect accord , 
concluded that it might he wise and w ell 
for him to say little and try to adjust him 
self to them . In preparation for this , he 
would often repair to the bank cf the old 
pond and gaze into the water, that he 
might get a view of all the world up-side 


CONFLICTING FLANS 


-down , and thus , for a time , rest his 
•mind and spirit in the thought that his up¬ 
set plans are now in perfect harmony with 
the world beneath the water . 

When this means of adjustment was 
employed , and his mind and spirit rested , 
lie would come back to the life above the 
surface better prepared to appreciate the 
higher and better things in real life . 

Realizing the benefits to be derived 
from this diversion , he often resorted to 
this old pond bank for meditation . 

Then when ready for real active life 
again , that he might come back to it with 
a full sense of appreciation , he would 
drop a pebble or clod into the water and 
throw this subterranean world into a great 
cloudy commotion , that he may find more 
charms in the world to which he is now 
turning . 

The charms of active life that are 
to be found in doing chores could not hold 
him long , and we soon find him at his 
favorite resort again . 


104 


ONE OF FOUR 


On the hank of this old pend lie often 
nut, lazily.during the summer days , watch¬ 
ing the ducks as they paddled in the edge 
of the water on the opposite side of the 
pond and sometimes ventured so far out 
that , to reach the bottom and pull a worm 
out of the mud , it was necessary for them 
to put their feet straight up in the air and 
paddle with them , gently , that they might 
not topple over and embark on the surface 
up-sidc-down . 

This feat , performed by the ducks 
with such ease and grace , and repeated 
just as often as he would express his appre¬ 
ciation in laughter , and just as long as he 
would show his interest by staying and 
watching , left with him the impression 
that it was all done for his entertainment, 
or just for the ducks to “show off ”, as lie 
had so often done by holding to the grass 
and standing on his head with his feet in 
the air as long as the feat proved to he of 
any interest to those for whose benefit lie 
was performing. 


CONFLICTING PLANS 


This performance of the ducks would 
sometimes prove to be so interesting that he 
would almost forget to watch the cork and 
line , with which lie had hoped to discover 
the presence and land the person of a big- 
mud cat . So much of interest did he find 
in the depths and on the surface of the 
water that he had very little time to think , 
with regret, of the time when the mill 
that stood here , so much like the old mill 
at home, served its last day and went down. 

It was not his nature to stay with one 
scene very long or to loose too much time 
with thought of a past that is beyond re¬ 
covery , or of a future with which he could 
not deal , immediately . 

It was not that he had no apprecia¬ 
tion of the past nor that he had no inter¬ 
est in the future . But the present 
seethed , to him , more real , and the im¬ 
mediate future more nearly present than it 
does to the average boy . 

Hence we do not have to follow him 
long or wait many days until we find him 


ONE OF FOUR 


interested elsewhere . 

lie is now in the milk lot with the two 
negro boys , with whom he was now well 
acquainted and on terms of companionship 
in many pranks that did not get sanction at 
headquarters . 

A passing calf , whose back looked so 
clean and soft , and so much like a padded 
saddle , brought back to him fond memories 
of little old “ Honest John” , and suggest¬ 
ed to him that mode of travel number three 
might still be indulged in with pleasure. 

And without taking time to weigh the 
consequences , count the difference and 
note the contrast between a ride on the 
saddled back of little old “ Honest John ” 
and one on the bare back of an unbroken 
and unbridled calf, he accepted the invit¬ 
ation of the passing calf and landed him¬ 
self for a ride . 

He had no more than gained his posi¬ 
tion when it began to dawn on him that to 
hold it was now his serious problem . 

Down the hill hoof and honker w r ent 


CONFLICTING PLANS 


10 


bounding and resounding until the two 
negro boys, thinking some modern machine 
had been turned into the milk lot with no 
one to steer it , leaped from their milk stools 
and , looking in the direction from whence 
the startling sound came , saw what % from 
a distance , looked verv much like J . W 
“ showing off 

lie was again on his head , standing 
with his feet in the air , with perfect poise, 
and with nothing to hold to now but the 
dust ; which feat seemed to have made 
even the little dog laugh ” and the calf 
jump over the moon . 

In addition to these feats and pleasures 
J . W . was notified that it was his duty to 
help carry the wood in , prove himself a 
worthy example for his two small cousins , 
and attend the near-by school . 

These duties were taken up in order , 
and , doubtless , in some measure , perform¬ 
ed . They were made lighter , however , 
by the features of play and pleasure that 
he w r as allowed to add and enjoy in 


ONE OF FOUR 


connection with liis serious and faithful 
performance of duty . 

School work and submission to the 
authority of , what he considered , a hard 
school-master was not enjoyed with any 
special relish . 

For him , the days at school would 
have been dull , in deed , had it not been 
for the presence of Eddie and Nellie-two 
pretty girl cousins- , the icy surface of the 
old pond near by , and the occasional snow 
bank , from which he found it convenient 
to make a hard snow ball ,while the teacher 
was snow-balling with the big girls , and 
could not afford to stop to ask who it was 
that had hit him or take offense at any one 
for doing so , and land it on the top of the 
School-master’s head with the satisfying 
thought of “ getting even ” . 

All of these pleasures , the last not the 
least , stood out as making the school life 
after all , worth while . 

But to have to bear the responsibility 
of being a good and worthy example for the 


CONFLICTING PLANS 


100 


two small cousins would add so much hard 
study and disciplining of himself to that of 
his school duties which were , even now, 
far too heavy , and on account of which 
he was fearful of a nervous break-down , 
that he was not willing , under the circum¬ 
stances , to assume so much . And here , 
again , J. VV. found it impossible to make 
his plans conform to those fixed for him 
by others . 

He tried every plan he could think of 
to find a solution and , after considering it 
long and well , came to , what seemed to 
he , the only possible conclusion: to wit-- 
That to ask any boy of his age and dispos¬ 
ition to be a worthy example for two small 
cousins , pursue his studies and perform all 
of his other duties , was to ask entirely too 
much ; and that , in this demand , a great 
injustice to him was about to be done . 

So far as he could see , the only way to 
avoid it was to tie his most valuable possess¬ 
ions in a handkerchief , and go so far that 
his kind uncle would never hear of him 


ONE OF FOUR 


again until he could grow to manhood and 
return of his own accord , So he took his 
departure and went about four miles to the 
home of his married sister , May , and an¬ 
nounced his purpose to remain as one of the 
family . 

To say that he found a hearty welcome 
is a very mild statement of the facts. 

J . W . began to adjust himself to the 
new situation as well and as fast as he could 
and was well pleased with the change . 

May and David , being older , knew 
that it would be much better for him if he 
would only try to make his plans harmonize 
with those of his uncle and return to the 
home that he left , but they hesitated to 
suggest it , knowing that the guardian 
uncle would soon be on the scene and make 
the suggestion himself. 

While they were delighted to have him 
w r ith them , and were doing all they could 
to make the brief stay pleasant for him , 
just as they expected , one fine dny J . W . 
was surprised , beyond measure , to see his 


CONFLICTING PLANS 


111 


unde coming , and to know that his where¬ 
abouts was about to be discovered , and 
that now , like his place on the back of 
uncle’s calf, his place in this new home 
would be very hard to hold . He knew 
now that all requests and arguements for 
an indefinite stay would be useless , so he 
meekly submitted , and w T as taken back 
to his uncle’s home for another stay . 

But the second placing was no more 
successful than the first , and he was soon 
to be hunted and placed again . 

IIis guardian , thinking that a change 
might quiet his mind , made the third plac¬ 
ing with another uncle , by marriage , who 
agreed to do the best he could for him 
until he could grow to manhood , if he 
w r ould only stay . But the change was 
not a success, and soon J. W. was with 
May and David again . Here the indulgent 
guardian gave up the chase and left him to 
form a partnership w r ith David , with 
whom he continued for many months . 

Later he secured a position in town and 


ONE OF FOUR 


found in the village post-master’s daughter 
one that he believed , at the time , he 
would be perfectly willing to obey , joined 
the church of her choice , and was soon 
appealing to his guardian for help in com¬ 
plying with the laws of the state , as he 
prepared to form a life-partnership with 
the girl of his choice . This assistance was 
readily and freely granted , and he was 
soon “ placed ” again , and , of his own 
free will , settled down , assuming duties 
that belong to the head of a home . 

As he was still two years from his 
majority , we have in this , proof of his dis¬ 
position to go , without unnecessary delay , 
to a desired goal , assume responsibilities 
that naturally belong to those in advance of 
his age , and that , to him , the present 
seemed more real and the immediate 
future more nearly present than it does to 
the average boy . 

These traits of character all grew into 
his manhood , and remained prominent in 
his subsequent life . 


11 


CHAPTER XT 
OTHER SCENES 

Tt was with many thoughts of home 
and loved ones and with eyes wide open 
with curious wonder and dimmed with mist, 
formed from a sense of necessity and loss , 
that James and Ellen alighted from the 
conveyance and walked , hand in hand , 
on the brick pavement , to the door of 
their new home . 

The door was opened by the smiling 
aunt , who was waiting to give them a wel¬ 
come , which they accepted as only child¬ 
ren can , and entered to be greeted by 
their cousin Lizzie - who was almost a 
young lady , and motherless too , as the 
kind aunt was only her stepmother , - and 
by another cousin , Ted who was an 
orphan also , a son of uncle George , and 
now almost grown . 

Ted had been in this home about ten 
years , or since his father’s death . 

These three , with uncle Peter , Solon , 
the hired man , and black John , constituted 
the family . 


114 


ONE OF FOUR 


It was without any embarrassment, 
on the part of any of the family , that 
James and Ellen were recieved . 

Surprised that their sudden appearance 
seemed to embarrass no one but themselves 
and that they seemed to be just taken for 
granted , the two concluded that it must 
have been a well formed and well under¬ 
stood plot. 

James and Ellen , in separate chairs , 
swinging their feet , in perfect time with 
each other and with the pendulum of the 
old clock that stood on the shelf , looked 
often at each other nodding recognition 
and smiling approval of each other and of 
other things , and had very little to say 
until the way for them to get to them¬ 
selves alone was opened by u Aunt Lou ” 
who said “ If you children care to do so , 
you may go out into the yard and plaj , 
and I will call you in time for the evening 
meal. ” Then , glancing at Aunt Lou ,and 
seeing the set of her chin . James and Ellen 
concluded , simultaneously , that to try to 


OTHER SCENES 


conform their movements to her suggest¬ 
ions would be the wise thing to do , 

So , just as their eyes met , four little 
bare feet dropped to the floor and found 
their way to the green grass on the lawn . 

They were soon discussing the trip, the 
family , the landscape , the house and every 
thing they saw in it. 

They were wondering how long they 
would stay here ; if they would stay and 
grow to manhood and womanhood as Ted 
and Lizzie had done ; what round of duties 
they would have to perform , if any } and 
if they would be able to please Aunt Lou 
and Uncle Peter and get along agreeably 
with the other members of the family , 
which they were very desirous of doing . 

They hoped to find in Ted and Lizzie 
a real big brother and sister , and to be able 
to add pleasure to the home life as well as 
to enjoy the same in it . 

Uncle Peter being one of the uncles of 
whom James and Ellon had heard their 
father ask that he be one to see after and 


ONE OF FOUR 


care for his children when they should he 
left fatherless , and hearing his promise 
that he would do so , James and Eilen 
drew on this promise for a feeling of rest 
and security that was greatly needed at 
this time , and in which they found great 
comfort . 

As they looked about the place and 
saw the three large barns . at various 
distances from the house and from each 
other , they began to wonder why so many 
and what each was built for , in view of 
the other two . In trying to solve this 
problem they noticed a drove of mules in 
the lot where one barn stood , a bunch of 
sheep and cows in another , and horses in 
the other. So they concluded that one of 
them must be a mule barn ,one a cow and 
sheep barn , and one a horse barn . 

This they found to be correct . 

As they looked they saw , on the top 
of the mule barn , a very strange sight. 

It was a huge bird that looked to be as 
large as a goose and had a tail as long as 


OTHER SCENES 


117 


that of a horse, with all the colors and 
beauty that they had ever seen , in all birds 
and fowls , blended in the one fowl and its 
tail . The tail feathers were three or four 
feet long , had all the colors of the rain 
bow , and at the end , a large central spot, 
in each feather , that looked like a big 
black eye . And when it alighted on the 
ground , lifted its tail feathers over its 
back and spread them out in the shape of 
a large fan , no beauty that they had ever 
seen in nature or art could compare with it. 

Upon inquiry they were told that it 
was a peacock , and that this was only one 
of the many that were on the place . 

To the minds and eyes of James and 
Ellen this peacock was the big wonder of 
the day . 

At length it was noticed that the sun 
was becoming round and red and dropping 
into the tops of the apple trees to the west 
giving notice of its purpose to send the 
shadows over , leaving them to deepen 
slumber after it is gone , paling and smiling 


118 


ONE OF FOUR 


its sad good night as it drops into the 
darkness of the deep beyond . 

They could now look into the face of 
the falling and receding sun with eyes wide 
open as they talked of its rich color and 
changing lustre , expressed regrets over its 
departure , speculated as to the possibility 
of its failing to return , comparing its plight 
with that of themselves and concluding 
that possibly the secret of its pailing and 
blushing lay in the fact that it , too , be¬ 
gan to realize that it must spend the night 
in strange parts where , through all the 
long hours of the night, it would be denied 
the privilege of looking into the smiling 
faces of its two very best friends , who are 
just as reluctant as the sun itself to say the 
sad good night . 

Just as the great red ball was about 
to tip the ground they were aroused from 
their reverie by the clear shrill voice of 
Aunt Lou calling to them to come and 
prepare for “ supper ” - 

Coming to the back porch ? they 


OTHER SCENES 


ascended the tall steps to the kitchen 
where they were to make preparations and 
pass into the dining room , with the other 
members of the family , for the evening 
meal . James and Ellen were seated on 
one side of the table , Uncle and Lizzie on 
the other , Aunt Lou at one end to attend 
to pouring the water , milk and coffee, and 
Ted at the other to return thanks , carve 
the meat , send it around the table and 
risk his chance . The hour was spent 
very pleasantly , all becoming acquainted 
with the new members of the family and 
their manners , and seeing with what ease, 
or uneasiness as the case may have been , 
they tried to adjust themselves to the 
new conditions . 


CHAPTER XII 


RELIGION IN THE HOME 


It was now understood that the most 
important feature of the home life was to 
he maintained ; that the religion of Christ, 
as is manifested in devotion to the Lord 
and to the church , was to have , in the 
every day life of this home , a prominent 
place , and that the Sundays were to he 
filled with the spirit of worship. 

To James and Ellen this was not a 
new idea at all . It had been the order in 
their home life since they could remember. 

The lather , in his life time , was one. 
who could appreciate fully all that the 
church stands for , and was free to bear 
testimony to it in the record of his life . 

The children had been taught to 
revere sacred things and to value divine 
truth . So it was not a new thing to hear 
the announcement that the pastor of the 
circuit , who preached once each month at 
the chapel , would spend a day or stay all 


RELIGION IN THE HOME 


121 


night in the home . 

Casting back now one can recall many 
of the familiar forms , good , kind spiiits 
and noble characters who made pastoral 
visits to the homes of theso children . 

One whose presence in the home was a 
joy and satisfaction to the older ones , but 
whose face and form the younger children 
cannot recall , was Rev. Rich , who was a 
great-uncle of the Four . He, with his 
family , often visited in the home near the 
old mill . And when he and his wife would 
return to their work some of the children 
Avould stay for many days, and even weeks , 
to enjoy the country life and enter into the 
many pleasures and pranks of their little 
u country cousins 75 . 

Another whose presence in the home 
was always attended with a welcome de¬ 
light was Rev . White , who was instru¬ 
mental in building the new chapel , and 
who , for convenience in serving the circuits 
made his home , the first year . on the farm 
that was , at that time , owned by the 


ONE OF FOUR 


I 22 


father of the “four” . As one of his 
churches , the “chapel ”, was in the neigh¬ 
borhood , heoften visited the family at the 
old-mill-home , and there was formed a 
close friendship with the miller that lasted 
as long as he lived . Neither was this tie 
severed when the father passed away ; but 
it was continued with the children of the 
next generation , through a half century. 

Of the pastors who came and went , 
and left the stamp of their godly lives on 
the life of this home , we might mention 
many others , two of whom deserve special 
mention. They are Rev. Rice, whose 
telling words will be remembered as lono- 
as life lasts ; and Rev. Groves , who 
baptized and recieved the writer into the 
church , pointing out to him the way of 
life , and whose fatherly interest and care 
did much to plant his feet in a way of life 
from which he has had no desire to turn 
back . 

As memories of such men and events 
extended back through the lives of these 


RELIGION IN THE HOME 


children , as far as memory cculd reach , 
it was the most natural thing for James 
and Ellen to accept the situation and regard 
the religion of the new home as a necessary 
part of life. However.it would he exact¬ 
ing too much of them to require of them to 
know , at this tender age , all purposes that 
service , praise and prayer may serve , or to 
have all ideas of these things well arranged 
in their minds . It was perfectly natural 
for them , seeing through a small glass very 
darkly, to wonder at the order in which 
family devotions were sometimes conducted. 

Hence it is not surprising that they 
failed to see the wisdom of a certain order, 
and could not understand why it should 
not even be reversed . 

They entertained grave fears that 
“ Auntie ”w r as getting her ideas of practical 
religion crossed w r hen , after a season of 
correction in which a little switch played a 
prominent part , she w r ould call them in 
read from the Bible and pray . 

To James and Ellen , this was a very 


ONE OF FOUR 


strange order . 

They , like all children , missing so 
much of the meaning of utterances . in 
prayer , and having their minds on another 
experience , which they were unable to 
dismiss from their thoughts just yet , and 
over which there was no disposition to 
shout , could not see the need of prayer 
after the damage was done . 

Had the order of service been left to 
them they would certainly have arianged 
it to have had the prayer before the oper¬ 
ation . 

In course of time , when they grew 
older and could appreciate the meaning 
and spirit of utterances in prayer , it all 
came clear , and they could see the wis¬ 
dom of the order and appreciate the spirit 
in which the order was arranged . 


CHAPTER XIII 


BAFFLED 

As no mention of domestic economy , 
table etiquette or diet had been made , 
dames and Ellen had about concluded that 
those horrible table manners and all of that 
fcilly talk about economy and health would 
not be in vogue here , and that they would 
now be allowed to eat their meals without 
being annoyed with these things . 

They were not left with this delusive 
thought very long , for they were soon 
informed that every finger that presumes to 
assist in handling a knife , fork or spoon 
must assume a certain position , with ref¬ 
erence to the instrument in use , to each of 
the other fingers and to the thumb , and 
that this must become a fixed habit from 
which a finger must never vary . 

Then , while eating , the mouth must 
be kept closed , so that , from it , no 
sound could emit , and there could be no 


ONE OF FOUR 


external evidence of wliat is going on with¬ 
in , more than one might gather from the 
lowering and lifting of the chin. 

They were to remember , too , that it 
was against the rules to call for a biscuit 
until they had eaten a piece of corn bread- 

Of course , to try to keep these and 
so many other rules in mind was a great 
tax on the mental powers , and also had 
the effect of extracting much of the joy 
from the meal . 

With this great disappointment fol¬ 
lowing so closely the delightful experience 
and favorable impressions of the first 
meal , their thoughts went out in search 
of another promise , and turned , at once , 
to the orchard of big red and yellow apples 
that not only loaded the trees so heavily 
that some had limbs broken down with 
their weight , but even covered the ground 
beneath the trees . Here they hoped to 
be allowed to eat without any regard for 
any rules whatever , handle the apples , 
while eating , just any way they might 


BAFFLED 


12V 


choose to handle them , with no thought of 
any position of fingers , more than to place 
them on that portion of the surface where 
they were not ready to bite , begin without 
any ceremony whatever and operate with¬ 
out any restraint on the music of mastica¬ 
tion , and entirely free from that awful 
condition that a chunk of corn bread must 
be operated on first. 

With these assurances in mind they 
frequently visited the orchard and enjoyed 
the luscious fruit, with no restraint and no 
embarrassment . 

After a short season , they found that 
this , too , could not continue . 

The coming of the fall months , with 
the cold and slight freezing , soon necessi¬ 
tated the gathering of all fruit that was to 
be used during the cold months , and plac¬ 
ing it in the cellar . 

As soon as this was done that free ac¬ 
cess to the apples was ended . 

No one was permitted to go into the 
cellar and help themselves to apples or 


ONE OF FOUIi 


pears without first securing the consent 
of “ Auntie ”, who , after giving it , would 
invariably add her charge",get a rotten 
one And then the privileged one would 
go down into the cellar , and almost down 
into despair , as that last solemn charge 
rang in the ears , extracting from the priv¬ 
ilege most of the joy it had contained . 

The winter months passed with their 
round of variations , duties and pleasures , 
such as school , chores , nut-crackings , 
corn-poppings and , mingled with it all , a 
deep and constant longing for the return 
of the blue birds and the summer sun . 

At length the time came when the 
flitting of the butterfly proclaimed the 
glad news that Summer is here . 

This was the time to which this boy 
and girl had looked forward in anticipation 
of many bright and happy days together in 
their play in the summer sunshine. 

But now they are reminded that life 
is not just a round of pleasures , even in 
the summer time . 


BAFFLED 


Ellen is informed that , now , as school 
is out, her duties will be many. She is 
to help with the dishes, the chickens , 
the lawn and flowers , and be ready for 
every good work that her hands may find 
to do . 

James is informed that he i.s now old 
enough to handle a team , and that he 
will be expected to learn to hitch up , 
handle the harrow and drag , drop corn , 
thin corn , hoe corn , think corn and think 
very little else until wheat harvest , and 
then think only wheat until it is all safe 
and in the stack . 

Only one variation from this course 
was provided for , and that was , if the 
ground should become too wet to be 
worked , he might be allowed to exercise 
himself cutting sprouts . 

This round of duties kept James in 
the fields and forests , with the men , 
most of the time . 

These activities extended over all of 
the land-holdings of the uncle . from the 


ONE FO FOUR 


11 Curd place ”, three miles north , to the 
“ Gooding ranch ”, two miles east , and 
many acres to the west and sont li . 

Hence it is plain enough why there 
was no time for play . And any plans, 
formed by any one on this farm. for 
wasting time , would have conflicted with 
those of the good uncle and been defeat¬ 
ed , as many minor plans , formed for other 
purposes , had been . 

The uncle’s plans were made with a 
view to managing a large farm and car¬ 
ing fora large family , five of whom were 
orphans and unable to care for themselves. 

Hence , for him , with so much to do, 
the time was going fast enough . And 
the Summer , too , with its butterfly 
wings , was soon gone . 


CHAPTER 


XIV 


UPS AND DOWNS 

The time for gathering fruit came 
again , and the children were enlisted to 
help . They were sent to the orchard 
under instructions to do what they could 
in gathering the fruit for winter keeping. 

Each was given a large tin bucket 
with instructions to place the picked 
apples in the tin buckets and not bruise 
them . And noiseless activity was to he 
regarded as the test of fidelity to the 
trust in the performance of duty. 

From the general make-up of the 
large tin buckets and their ready response 
to every slight touch with forbidden 
music , James and Ellen soon discovered 
that their fidelity was being put to a 
very severe test . Thinking that “Auntie ” 
would make all due allowance for the 
severity of the test , they became over¬ 
confident , dropped a few apples in the 


ONE OF FOUR 


bucket , gently , and brought down upon 
their heads condemnation that expressed 
its self in terms unmistakable , and almost 
unbearable , as a little keen water sprout 
began to lap around them and do penal 
duty for an offended aunt . 

Then , in order , came the cider mak¬ 
ing , in which process the windfalls and 
inferior apples were utilized for making 
the cider which was to be made into 
“ pure apple vinegar 

This work was done out in the yard 
near the smoke house and a large peach 
kiln . The apples were carried from 
the orchard to this cider mill , ground 
and pressed , and the extracted juice was 
carried to the cellar , in buckets , and put 
into a barrel to be converted into vin¬ 
egar . The task of carrying the cider 
to the cellar was left to those who were 
not strong enough to handle the sacks of 
apples or to press the juice out ; The 
heavy work being done by the men . 

The transfering of the juice from the 


UPS AND DOWNS 


1 


press to the cellar was the task of James , 
Ellen and Lizzie^ When the last three 
buckets of juice were ready to go . a 
contest for speed was put on . 

By some means , Ellen and Lizzie 
got a good start , and , in stead of carrying 
their buckets down into the cellar , as 
James supposed they had done , left them 
just inside of the outer door , on the top 
step , and disappeared , going into the 
kitchen . When James arrived at the 
outer door , at the head of the steps , 
supposing the girls were down in the 
cellar emptying their buckets , in great 
haste , he opened the door and jumped 
in , landing in a bucket of juice and 
thence down the steps , holding his feet 
in the air as if to let them drip and dry 
while he made his rapid descent . 

When he was picked up and put 
together , his feet were still wet , his 
face skinned and his nose bruised and 
bleeding profusely . 

This unhappy closing of the race 


ONE OF FOUR 


ended the work ,and for a time, all thought 
of it , as all of the buckets were empty 
and all hands were busy trying to revive 
and rebuild a boy . 

For several days James succeeded in 
impressing the family with the thought 
that he was , in a very large measure , 
incapacitated , and was allowed a suspen¬ 
sion of duties, just in proportion as they 
were so impressed . 

In the mean time Ellen and Lizzie , 
who had out-stripped James in the race , 
were required to go ahead with their 
work , washing and drying dishes . after 
each meal , and putting them away until 
needed again . Ellen , in her newly- 

acquired haste , insisted on carrying to the 
safe a tall stack of dishes , much too high 
and heavy for her , that she might there¬ 
by expedite the work and save many 
needless steps . In this , she over-estima¬ 
ted both her strength and power of poise ; 

And just as she was about to reach the 
safe , her powers seemed to fad and she 


UPS AND DOWNS 


1 


came to the floor with a crash . 

She arose with some difficulty and 
with a feeling of utter loss . She had 
now lost her strength and poise and also 
her confidence . The crash brought a 
loss of all values involved , and she too was 
at a loss to know w T hat to do , or how to 
effect the next break and break the news 
to “Aunt Lou 

The problem of the next break was 
soon solved , as “ Aunt Lou ” appeared on 
the scene , having recieved her portion of 
the shock , and seemed to have a perfect 
grasp of the whole situation, IJllen included. 

For a time , she seemed to be at a 
loss too ; and to feel that nothing could 
be done that w r ould be at all in keeping 
with the occasion . So she held Ellen 
firmly , as if to prevent her going to 
pieces too , until she could think of the 
best thing to do , and ,after a moment , in 
which Ellen was left to wonder what 
next , Ellen was surprised and relieved, 
beyond measure, when “ Aunt Lou ” 


ONE OF FOUR 


loosened her grasp and said, in a sweet 
and quiet tone, “ Get your bonnet now 
and go up to the barn and tell your uncle 
that I said he must get ready and goto 
town and get me some dishes , before 
time for another meal , and when he asks 
for an explaination , just tell him what 
has happened 

Ellen lost no time in finding and 
adjusting her bonnet and making her 
start for the barn . She was glad enough 
to go , thanking her stars for the happy 
termination of such a dreadful affair . 

As she came near the barn and saw 
her uncle in the lot , it began to dawn 
on her that the incident was not yet 
closed , and she began to almost wish 
that u Auntie ” had been kind enough to 
have taken sufficient satisfaction for her 
faults out of her system . And the 
questions arose How can I approach 
him 7 What will he think and what will 
he say and do ? This kind uncle who 
has never spoken to me an unkind word , 


UPS AND DOWNS 


0/ 


How can I afford to break to him such 
provoking news and then have to state 
that it was all my own carelessness , for 
which 1 now ask him to find something 
to atone and to pay the price r { ” . 

The thought of having to break such 
news t<) her uncle was , to Ellen , the most 
dreadful thing that she could think of. 
But 3 coming to the worst , she could see 
no way out of it , so she did her very 
best to carry out the instructions of the 
good aunt , who , as Ellen thought , had 
let her off so happily . 

The uncle was greatly amused . 

He seemed more than willing to pay 
the cost, and to think it well worth the 
price . 

As so much of James time was 
taken up with larger farm duties , and 
Ellen was growing larger and stronger , 
to her round of duties was added that 
of helping James with his task of milk¬ 
ing the cows . 

These duties had some accompaniments 


ONE OF FOUR 


that were neither ornamental nor help¬ 
ful . One that never failed was the 

presence of the old white cat called Snow . 

Snow was always on duty when the 
milk stool was set , to keep vigil from 
the top of the gate post nearest the 
milk l)ucket , and as soon as enough was 
poured into the bucket for her to reach 
it without having to duck her head too 
deep and incur too much risk , and the 
milker was again busy, to stir herself, 
and come down and test it . 

Th is had been repeated so often and 
had become so provoking , that James 
had determined to put a stop to it ; and 
with this in view , he placed a nice little 
hickory switch where he could easily ancl 
quickly get it when it was needed , then 
proceeded as usual to draw the first 
quart of milk and pour it into the bucket, 
keeping one eye on old Snow . 

As he took his seat on the stool again 
and began pulling for another quart , 
Snow seemed to “ smell a mouse” and did 


UPS AND DOWNS 


not yield to' the temptation to come 
down until the third quart was poured in 
and the white foam was raised to full 
view . This was more than Snow could 
stand ; and disregarding all evidence of 
coming trouble , as soon as the milker was 
again busy , she began to stir herself as 
quietly as she could and , reaching the 
bucket , put her head over the edge and 
down far enough to enjoy herself until 
reminded by some stir in the direction 
of the milker that to linger longer would 
not be safe . This stir failed to alarm 
her ; and , before she knew what w as com¬ 
ing , her joy was ended; for James had 
her tail in one hand and the switch in 
the other , and she was suspended right 
over the milk bucket and her fur was fly¬ 
ing in as many directions as the sound 
of her voice , as she screamed for mercy , 
of which she entertained very little hope. 

However the agony ended sooner and 
more happily than she had hoped for 
when James let her slip from bis grasp 


ONE OF FOUR 


and she went down into the milk .getting 
a good application of the warm , soothing 
and healing milk to every needy portion 
of her burning body , and scampered away, 
not very well satisfied with the result 
of her venture , but equally as well satis¬ 
fied with it as James was with the cure. 

James now called Ellen into council, 
and the two began to rack their brains 
to figure a way out of, what now be¬ 
came , a great difficulty. Here was a 

bucket of milk utterlv ruined for kitchen 

•/ 

or table use—so far as any one who knew 
the circumstances might be concerned- 
and yet there was no question about the 
inadvisability of telling these circumstances 
to “ auntie ” . 

They finally decided that as the 
milk was just as good as any for the 
use of one who knew nothing of the 
circumstances , and to tell all of the cir¬ 
cumstances would only deprive “ A untie ” 
of milk , that she would enjoy so much, 
when she could just as well have and enjoy 


UPS AND DOWNS 


it without a sense of loss ; And in view 
of these charitable considerations , they 
concluded that it would be best to just 
take the milk to the house as usual , 
say nothing about what had occured , Ellen 
agreeing to be the martyr , and, to keep 
down all suspicion of the unusual , touch 
the milk very lightly until this particular 
quantity was all used up . 

James proposed to leave off the use 
of milk entirely , which was not unusual 
in his case , let the good aunt have her 
full share and more , and not deprive her 
of any milk or pleasure , or of any bliss 
that ignorance of their misfortune could 
afford . 




' 

* : ; U 

. 

' 

. 

* 



CHAPTER XV 


EVENING SHADES 

It was a very warm day in the month 
of June , the corn fields were showing 
their green marks , and to keep the green 
from spreading , with the growth of weeds, 
and covering the entire surface , too soon , 
all hands were busy . Ted , Solon and 
John , each with a team and plow , went 
to the task of keeping the <c middles ” 
dark until the waving corn blades could 
grow long enough to cover them with 
the welcome green . To finish the work 
“Uncle Peter ” and James went with 
their hoes to get the weeds that the 
plows failed to get . 

The burning heat of the summer sun 
proved to be too much for the uncle , 
who was now past sixty years of age . 

Over-Exertion in the intense heat 
produced a condition that the family physi¬ 
cian could not control ; And in just one 
week , the end came , and this good uncle 
passed to his rew T ard . 


ONE OF FOUR 


This event brought great sorrow to 
all in the home and to many others who 
had learned to honor and trust him , as 
they saw him grow rich in this world’s 
goods , in trusting neighbors and true 
friends , and in those graces that mark 
the true man , as , day by day , he meas¬ 
ures up , more and more , to “ the meas¬ 
ure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 

The weeks that followed were weeks 
of anxiety and of strange movements as 
those who were to be responsible for 
the closing of the estate took charge, 
directing the sale of personal property , 
the distribution of realty interests and 
the adjustment of family affairs . 

As Ted and Lizzie were now old 
enough and far enough advanced to at¬ 
tend the university , “ Auntie ” decided 
to move to town where she could be 
with them and help them take advantage 
of opportunities there and finish their 
education , take James and Ellen along 
to attend the public school , leave Solon 


EVENING SHADES 


and John to find homes for themselves 
elsewhere , and the farm home in the 
care of a renter . 

This stay in town lasted only one 
year , so far as “Aunt Lou ” , James and 
-Ellen were concerned. These three 
returned to the farm the next year . 

Ted and Lizzie remained in town 
and continued their studies at the Uni¬ 
versity ; Lizzie preparing herself to teach, 
and Ted studying with a purpose to enter 
the ministry , which he did , after com¬ 
pleting his course at the University, at 
Westminster College and at McCormick 
Seminary , Chicago . 

James and Ellen were left with the 
aunt on the farm until she could have 
time to get the affairs of the farm and 
home in a more settled state. 

As the older ones were now gone , 
duties more numerous and of more weight 
and responsibility began to devolve upon 
the two smaller ones . James was to 
haul corn and do many tasks that properly 


146 


ONE OF FOUR 


belong to a man . In his attempt to 
provide feed to carry the stock through 
a very severe winter , he contracted a very 
severe case of rheumatism that required 
several years to out-grow . 

This condition added much to the 
unpleasantness and difficulties of the heavy 
tasks . Being only a small boy of twelve 
years , and having the responsibility of 
caring for quite a drove of stock , getting 
the feed from the fields and meadows , 
milking the cows and looking after things 
generally , during the severe winter 
weather, we would naturally and reason¬ 
ably suppose that he would encounter 
many serious problems and many great 
difficulties . 

Since Ted was in school , in town , 
and could Jje at the farm home only 
over Sunday and very rarely a day in 
the week, all assistance that he could 
render was just a slight lift in passing 
and this occured , so it seemed to James , 
only once in a great while . 


EVENING SHADES 


147 


Many were the trips that James made 
to town , a distance of twelve miles , with 
wagon loads of wheat that were loaded 
with extreme difficulty and hauled on 
a wagon that gave continual warning of 
a possible great calamity , as it began to 
cry with its load and a tire slipped to 
one side , giving to a wheel the appear¬ 
ance of a rundown heel and an air of 
rebellion , as its pitiful cry increased . 

One day as he was descending a long 
hill , with a wagon load of wheat , he 
heard a ringing sound like a metal hoop 
bounding on the rocks, and glancing 
around to see what it was , he saw a 
wagon tire that seemed to be in a rapid 
run to get ahead of him . Supposing it 
to be from the hand of a mischievous 
boy , or from the wagon of some one who 
was driving behind him , he did not bring 
his wagon to a quick stop . 

But upon looking back and seeing 
no other wagon near and no boy on the 
hill , he brought his team and wagon to 


ONE .OF FOUR 


a standstill , and , upon investigation , 
discovered that the tire was from one of 
the rear wheels of his own wagon . 

He began to realize , now , that he 
was facing a very serious problem . 

The wagon and its load must be lifted , 
the wheel taken off, and a job of work 
that would be sufficient to try the pa¬ 
tience of any one other than a black¬ 
smith , was to be done . 

What could he do with it ? 

He could think of only one thing 
that would be at all appropriate for a 
boy of his age to do , under such circum r 
stances , - just cry . So dividing the 
time , to give to each coat sleeve its 
portion , he placed them , one at a time 
to his eyes to serve as a termination for 
the on-rushing flood . 

It was not long , however , until the 
re-assuring voice of Ted , who was coming- 
on to town , on his return to school , rang 
in his ears with “ Hello ! what is your 
trouble ? ” At the sound of this voice the 


EVENING SHADES 


149 


flood ceased , and James , with his timely 
and efficient help , was soon on his way 
again , rejoicing that he was still alive 
and unhurt . 

In due time the wagon was unloaded 
and loaded again , with goods that had 
been purchased for use on the farm , and 
all were ready for the return trip . 

The carriage , with “ Auntie }1 started 
from town about sun-down , leaving James 
to follow with the team and wagon , at 
a distance that grew greater as , with the 
light running carriage and the incentive 
of the home stretch , the little road team 
increased their speed , and , before the left 
and lonely driver of the wagon team , the 
night came on and all leading lights 
went out. 

The horses , tired from having drawn 
the heavy load of wheat to town , and 
now feeling the weight of the wagon and 
its lighter burden equally as much as they 
had felt the heavy load in the morning, 
moved lazily , coming . occasionally , to a 


ONE OF FOUR 


sudden stop , as they faced a foe of their 
fancy in the darkness before them , thus 
arousing James from a half-slumber to 
quick action , as he grasped the seat to 
save himself from falling from it . 

With that sense of weariness , almost 
over-powering , was mingled a sense of 
dread and danger that kept him , in a 
measure at least , alive to the world , as 
he moved on in the darkness , reducing 
the number of miles between himself and 
home , not with rapidity entirely to his 
satisfaction . 

When within about one mile of home 
the wagon came to a sudden stop that 
landed him down in the front end of the 
wagon body upon his knees-which atti¬ 
tude he had , many times , thought of as¬ 
suming when the team halted and hes¬ 
itated to go on in the darkness-but as 
this was an involuntary assuming he decid¬ 
ed to rise to his feet and endeavor to 
ascertain the cause of the sudden stop. 

This he could not do without alighting 


EVENING SHADES 


151 


from the wagon , as it was now so in¬ 
tensely dark that he could not even see 
the horses . 

he started to climb down over the 
front wheel and , feeling in the darkness, 
he discovered that , if he landed outside 
of the wheel , he would laud inside of 
the field ; as the wheel was fast in the 
lock of the fence . 

The tired horses , being just as ready 
to back as to go forward , were easily 
induced to back , and James , turning them 
to the right, cleared the fence , and was 
soon on his way again , happy to be alive 
and so near home . 

he made the most of his knowledge 
of the trend of the narrow lane through 
the farm and soon arrived at the farm 
lot with his small load of goods , safely 
landed , and a great load of responsibil¬ 
ity lifted from his glad and trembling 
heart . 

The u uncle John ” being the legally 
appointed guardian , and seeing how the 


152 


ONE OF FOUR 


responsibilities were growing to be entirely 
too heavy for children of their ages, had 
come to the conclusion that James and 
Ellen should be placed where there were 
stronger men and women to do the heavy 
work . So he took them to his own home, 
gave them a good rest , and allowed them 
to visit for several weeks with relatives 
on the father’s side . 

These visits were ended all too soon 
and James and Ellen returned to the 
guardian uncle’s to be “ placed ” again . 

They were placed one with each of 
two other uncles who were able and will¬ 
ing to care for them . 

This meant , of course , another and 
sadder separation , as , for these two , it 
was the first time they had been sepa¬ 
rated and sent out alone ; and there fol¬ 
lowed days , weeks and months of loneli¬ 
ness and longing for loved ones , that 
only the orphan can know . 

At last these days were ended , and 
James and Ellen . now abont grown , found 


EVENING SHADES 


153 


a home together again with the older 
sister and her husband—May and David . 

This stay lasted about three years . 

They then shifted , for a short time , 
to the home of J . W . helping with the 
work of farm enterprises , in which they 
enjoyed an interest . 

Soon Ellen attained unto her majority, 
being loath to change her name, and 
meeting a young man who was bent on 
doing all he could to dissuade her from 
doing such a rash thing, she decided to 
act on his suggestion , married this young 
man who was glad to let her name stand 
just as it was . They moved to Kansas 
City , Mo . where they now have their 
home and have reared , almost to man¬ 
hood and womanhood , six happy, healthy 
and interesting children . 

James and J . W . continued their 
work together for two or three years 
until an impression that Janies had car¬ 
ried since childhood grew so strong that 
he announced his purpose to enter school 


ONE OF FOUR 


again and prepare himself for a mode of 
life and work that would bring to the 
hearts of some who have been favored 
with a good providence , a sense of their 
good fortunes-such as he never kilew- 
and to the hearts of others , against whom 
all events seem to conspire to reduce and 
sadden , a sense of the presence of the 
divine hand in all things , leading those 
who will believe and trust, through the 
deepest and darkest shadow , to the end 
of the sad way , where all shadows lift, 
and the joy of a fadeless light drives 
them back forever. 

With this purpose James closed his 
business on the farm , said another good- 
by and went to college to prepare for 
the ministry . 

This proved to be the last severing 
of the home relations of this little fam¬ 
ily of four , and the beginning of the 
years of drifting , in which many anxious 
days have been spent as each one of the 
tour has thought of the problems and 


EVENING SHADES 


155 


difficulties of the others - and also of those 
of little Thomas ,who , because of his in¬ 
dividual relationships in which the four 
had no share , had , in a measure , drifted 
from them in these relationships - and 
longed to see them and be able to lend 
a helping hand . And yet they have 
drifted , at times , so far apart that for 
many months some were even lost from 
the knowledge of the others . 

Since , in the last twenty years , all 
attempts to get together have failed , 
one is left to wonder if it cannot- be un¬ 
til the time to which the young mother 
looked forward , as she gave to the little 
ones the last look of love , and , with 
faltering voice and failing breath , said to 
the father , “ Teach them the way : and 
tell them to meet mother where homes 
will not be broken up again , and sad 
partings are no more ” 

And now as we look back over the 
shifting life of this world as we have 
known it, think of the rolling tide of 


ONE OF FOUR 


m 


time and the whirl of passing events , 
rest our eyes on the landscape , dotted 
with the dwelling places of those we have 
known as they have come and gone , 
and see some of these homes filled again 
wdfch happy souls , beaming with life , 
while others are dark and deserted , hous¬ 
ing only imaginary ghosts of the past , 
we can still see the sunlight of this day 
falling with full force upon four happy 
homes , over which a few clouds have 
passed , but upon which the benign sun¬ 
light of Heaven has fallen and now rests ; 
leaving , at this eveningtide , a blend of 
beauties and glories that are known only 
to those who can feel and appreciate 
fully , the touch of the Divine and the 
bounties that fall from “ the windows 
of Heaven 

Had the events of life spoiled , for 
any one of these , the glories of this 
passing day , the story of this home- 
life could not have been told by the nar¬ 
rator . But “ all is well that ends well . ” 


EVENING SHADES 


And now we close the door upon this 
four-fold home life with no disappoint¬ 
ment for the reader . They are all able 
to enjoy , to-day , the glories of the even- 
ingtides and the dawn of this day that 
reaches into the second half of a century 
of manifold life . 

The events of the last twenty years 
have been enough , in each of these four 
lives , to fill many chapters . Events joy¬ 
ous , sad , humorous and full of interest- . 

To relate some of them would turn 
the light on much that is of interest in 
the real life of to-day and arouse many 
emotions. But we will leave them 

here , and await the time of the writer , 
who may , some day , review some of the 
many interesting incidents that have tran¬ 
spired in the last twenty years, note them, 
in their order , and drop them , too , from 
the point of his pen , upon the record of 
past events . 

































































































































































































































































































































































































AUG 2 3 1924 























